Virginia Legislative Initiatives
The following is a summary of green regulations and incentives. If questions arise, members may contact Brian Gordon, bgordon@aoba-metro.org
Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC)
Application: Commercial and Residential
The Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) is a statewide minimum requirement that local jurisdictions cannot amend. The code is applicable to all new buildings in the commonwealth. The Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) contains the building regulations that must be complied with when constructing a new building, structure, or an addition to an existing building. They must also be used when maintaining or repairing an existing building, or renovating or changing the use of a building or structure.
Status: Enacted
State Buildings Energy Reduction Plan
Application: Property Owners
Executive Order 48 sets out to reduce non-renewable energy purchases and increase overall energy savings. The order instructs the Commonwealth to encourage the private sector to adopt energy-efficient building standards by giving preference when leasing facilities for state use to facilities meeting LEED or EPA Energy Star Ratings.
Status: Enacted 4-Apr-07
Solar Manufacturing Incentive Grant (SMIG) Program
Application: Commercial and Industrial
SMIG Program was created in 1995 and administered jointly by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership to encourage the production of photovoltaic panels in Virginia. The SMIG Program offers up to $4.5 million per year to encourage the production of photovoltaic panels in Virginia. The incentive is paid at a rate of up to $0.75 per watt for panels sold in a calendar year, with a maximum of 6 MW. New manufacturers that meet certain production and other criteria are eligible to receive annual incentive grants for six years. The amount will be awarded as follows: Years 1 and 2 - $0.75/watt, Years 3 and 4 - $0.50/watt and in Years 5 and 6 - $0.25/watt.
Status: Enacted 1-Jan-96
TVA - Green Power Switch Generation Partners Program
Application: Commercial and Residential
Tenessee Valley Authority (TVA) and participating power distributors currently offer a dual-metering option to residential/small-commercial and commercial consumers through the Green Power Switch Generation Partners program. This progamoperates as follows: A solar or wind generation source is installed by a residential or small commercial power customer served by a participating distributor of TVA power. TVA will purchase 100 percent of the green power output at a rate of 15 cents per kilowatt-hour. Residential users may also qualify for an additional $500 incentive to help offset start-up costs. Payment is made in the form of a credit issued by the local power distributor on the monthly power bill for the home or business where the generation system is located. Payments are guaranteed for 10 years from the date of the contract. Energy consumed at the home or business, whether it is generated at the site or delivered over the local power distribution system, is billed at the standard rate. . Customers of TVA distribution utilities who are interested in this program should contact their utility customer services representative. Consumers participate as either residential/small-commercial or commercial customers. Under the residential/small-commercial contract, TVA will purchase the entire output of a qualifying system at $0.15 per kWh through a participating power distributor, and the consumer will receive a credit for the power generated.
Status: Enacted
Local Option Property Tax Exemption for Solar
Application: Commercial, Industrial and Residential
Virginia allows any county, city or town to exempt or partially exempt solar energy equipment or recycling equipment from local property taxes. Residential, commercial or industrial property is eligible. The statute broadly defines solar energy equipment as any "application which would otherwise require a conventional source of energy." Cities and counties currently offering an exemption include: Albemarle, Alexandria, Charlottesville, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Fairfax, Falls Church, Hampton, Hanover, Henrico, Isle of Wight, King and Queen, Loudoun, Lynchburg, Prince William, Pulaski, Richlands, Roanoke, Spotsylvania, Warren and Wise.
Status: Enacted 1-Jan-77
Virginia Environmental Excellence Program (VEEP)
Application: Property Owners
VEEP encourages performance in environmental management systems and pollution prevention. VEEP participants, depending on there level as defined by applicable legislation, are eligible for regulatory and recognition benefits. Recognition benefits include recognition of their accomplishments and achievements. Regulatory benefits include a variety of incentives from discounts on annual permit fees for solid waste management, hazardous waste management, and water, and a reduction in the frequency of reports required to be filed under the Maximum Available Control Technology (MACT) provisions of the Clean Air Act. AOBA members may apply online at the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
Status: Enacted 2005
Classification of Certain Energy-Efficient Buildings for Tax Purposes
Application: Property Owners
This section of the Code authorizes the goverrning body of any county, city, or town may, by ordinance, to levy a tax on the value of such energy-efficient buildings at a different rate from that of tax levied on other real property. The rate of tax imposed by any county, city, or town on such buildings shall not exceed that applicable to the general class of real property. An amendment passed during the 2008 session expands energy-efficient buildings that may be classified as a separate class of real property for tax purposes to include buildings that meet performance guidelines or standards under the Green Globes Building Rating System of the Green Building Initiative, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, EarthCraft House program, or Energy Star program.
Status: Enacted 1-Jul-08
Virginia Income Tax Credits on Energy Efficient Products
For taxable years beginning on and after January 1, 2007, an amount equal to 20% of the sales tax paid by an individual (pursuant to the VA Code, Chapter 6, title 58.1-600), not to exceed $500 in each taxable year, in purchasing for his own use certain products.
City of Alexandria
City of Alexandria's Environmental Action PlanApplication: County Residents
This document explains the policies and plans of the Alexandria for its "Eco-City Alexandria" goals and Environmental Action Plan.
Arlington County
Green Building Incentive ProgramApplication: Property Owners / Developers
In October 1999, the County Board adopted a Pilot Green Building Incentive Program based on the U. S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEEDTM) Green Building Rating System to evaluate special exception site plan requests for bonus density and/or height. The program grants bonus densities and/or heights to building projects which receive LEED certification. The threshold for consideration of the bonus requests includes the full range of LEED certifications. This means that buildings seeking to achieve the Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum award levels of the LEED rating system will be eligible. Certified level does not guarantee a density bonus, but will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and can potentially earn a bonus of .15 FAR. Buildings achieving LEED Silver can be eligible for up to .25 FAR, and LEED Gold and Platinum can be considered for .35 FAR.
Status: Enacted Apr-00
Fresh AIRE – Arlington Initiative to Reduce Emissions
Application: County Residents
An initiative to reduce Arlington County government's greenhouse gas emissions 10% from 2000 to 2012. Arlington County will contract with professional energy engineering firms to perform a free comprehensive energy audit for up to five (5) small businesses in Arlington in 2007.
Arlington Green Home Choice
Application: Program
Developers Arlington has developed the Green Home Choice program as an incentive for homebuilders to build green. The program provides a listing of building techniques and components that result in a more efficient and healthy home. Builders who participate in the program are offered front-of-the-line plan review, lawn signs indicating participation in the program, attendance at County-sponsored seminars, and recognition as "green" builders. If you are a homebuilder interested in participating in the program contact Joan Kelsch in the Environmental Planning Office at 703-228-3599 to discuss the project.
Loudon County
Efficiency CommitteeThe Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Ad-Hoc Energy Efficiency Committee will hold a public input session on Wednesday, May 7, 2008, on the county's goals to become more energy efficient. Topics of interest include measures to upgrade existing county structures and vehicle fleets; current and proposed standards for new buildings; technology advances in transportation; performance metrics and fiscal impacts; and engaging Loudoun County businesses and residents in efforts to increase energy efficiency throughout the county.
Fairfax County
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors' Environmental Agenda (Environmental Improvement Program)Application: County Residents
The program provides a framework for the county executive and the Board of Supervisors to make decisions about environmental investment, project planning and policy-needs assessments. Each fiscal year, a year-specific Environmental Improvement Program) is released with the objective of supporting the Board's Environmental Agenda.
Status: Enacted
Fairfax County Air Quality/Green Buildings Plan Amendment
Application: County Residents
The Board of Supervisors adopted an amendment to the Policy Plan to strengthen Comprehensive Plan guidance regarding air quality issues, to incorporate within the Plan support for green building practices and to encourage and promote the application of these practices through Policy Plan guidance. Included in the amendment are new policies establishing linkages between the incorporation of green building/energy conservation practices and attainment of certain Comprehensive Plan Options, planned uses or densities/intensities of development. The Plan Amendment also includes related additions and definitions.
Status: Enacted
Cool Capital Challenge
Application: County Residents
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, at its regular meeting today, approved a resolution pledging to implement greenhouse gas emission reduction actions as part of the National Capitol Region's Cool Capital Challenge.
Prince William County
Prince William County Building Code Interpretations
Application: Property Owners / Developers
Prince William County Building Official issues interpretations to clarify the technical requirements of the Virginia Uniformed Statewide Building Code (VUSBC). Interpretations are typically issued as a result of a specific question from citizens, contractors or County staff.
Status: Enacted
Environmental Management System
Application: County Residents
Prince William County initiated the implementation of its Environmental Management System with a resolution of the Board of County Supervisors to unanimously adopt an Environmental Policy Statement and a proposed project management schedule for affected County facilities. An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a cohesive, comprehensive set of written environmental policies and procedures which identify an organization's environmental goals and objectives and define how the organization will achieve and maintain those goals. Pollution prevention and waste minimization are also integral components of the County's EMS, as are increased awareness, both internal and external, and environmental stewardship and program ownership.
Status: Enacted 22-Jul-03
