HOUSE BILL NO. 793 Offered January 9, 2008 Prefiled January 8, 2008 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 2.2-217.1, relating to a greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategy. ---------- Patron-- Englin ---------- Committee Referral Pending ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 2.2-217.1 as follows:

§ 2.2-217.1. Development of strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

A. By January 1, 2009, the Secretary, after providing an opportunity for all interested parties to comment and evaluating the best available scientific, technological, and economic information on greenhouse gas emissions, shall determine the greenhouse gas emissions level of the Commonwealth in 2005. Upon the determination of the 2005 greenhouse gas emissions level, the Secretary shall coordinate the research and development of a comprehensive plan by January 1, 2010, that, if adopted by the General Assembly, is capable of providing a 30 percent reduction of the 2005 greenhouse gas emissions level by 2025 and an 80 percent reduction of the 2005 greenhouse gas emissions level by 2050.

B. The plan shall include recommendations on direct emission reduction measures, alternative compliance mechanisms, market-based compliance mechanisms, and potential monetary and nonmonetary incentives for sources and categories of sources that are necessary or desirable to facilitate the achievement of the maximum feasible and cost-effective reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. In developing the plan, the Secretary shall:

1. Evaluate the total potential costs and total potential economic and noneconomic benefits of the plan for reducing greenhouse gases to Commonwealth’s economy, environment, and public health, using the best available economic models, emission estimation techniques, and other scientific methods;

2. Consider the relative contribution of each source or source category to statewide greenhouse gas emissions and the potential for adverse effects on small businesses and shall recommend a de minimis threshold of greenhouse gas emissions below which emission reduction requirements would not apply if the Commonwealth were to adopt mandatory greenhouse gas emission reduction measures; and

3. Consult with the State Corporation Commission and all other state agencies with jurisdiction over sources of greenhouse gases to ensure that all elements of the plan pertaining to energy related matters including electrical generation, load based-standards or requirements, the provision of reliable and affordable electrical service, petroleum refining, and statewide fuel supplies to ensure the greenhouse gas emissions reduction activities are complementary, nonduplicative, and could be implemented in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

C. The Secretary shall continually revise the plan after its initial development to reflect then existing emission levels. The Secretary shall report by November 1 of each year to the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources, and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources on progress made in the development of the plan and the Commonwealth's capability to achieve reductions of greenhouse gas emissions levels as identified in the plan.