NE Governor Signs Energy Conservation Act

On April 16, 2008 , Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman signed legislation that establishes the Energy Conservation Improvement Act.

Recognizing that many state residents are finding it difficult to pay heating and cooling costs and that energy conservation helps maintain affordable bills, this act enables electric public power utilities to develop energy conservation programs for their low-income customers.

Starting July 1, 2009 , a public power district may designate up to 5 percent of the state sales tax collected from customers to be deposited in the Energy Conservation Improvement Fund. The public power districts must match the amount collected.

Grants from the fund will be available to households at 150% or less of federal poverty guidelines for energy conservation improvements.

The legislation, LB 1001, is available at http://uniweb.legislature.ne.gov/QS/session.php

Page Last Updated: April 29, 2008