River Falls Municipal Utilities (RFMU) offers loans of $2,500 - $50,000 to its residential customers for the installation of photovoltaic (PV), solar thermal, geothermal, wind electric systems. The program will also support the installation of energy efficiency measures in connection with a qualifying renewable energy project, provided that the renewable energy portion of the project comprises at least 50% of project costs. Systems that generate renewable electricity must be connected to the RFMU distribution grid. Loan terms vary by project, but may range from 5 -20 years at a current interest rate of 4%. Actual loan terms will be determined

In New Jersey, under the Farmland Assessment Act, farmland actively devoted to an agricultural or horticultural use is assessed at its productivity value. This practice generally results in a lower tax burden for farmland owners compared to residential or commercial land owners. In January 2010 New Jersey enacted legislation (S.B. 1538), which among other things clarifies how farmland used for biomass, solar, and wind energy generation should be treated under the Farmland Assessment Act. Ultimately, the law states that the addition of a biomass, solar, or wind energy generating system to land that was assessed and taxed as

In March 2009 New Jersey enacted legislation (A.B. 1558) designed to support the integration of solar energy systems into new residential developments. The law requires that developers of residential developments with 25 or more dwelling units must "offer to install, or to provide for installation of, a solar energy system" when techinically feasible.

 Solar energy systems are defined to include systems that use solar energy to provide "all or a portion of the heating, cooling, or general energy needs of a dwelling unit, including, but not limited to, nocturnal heat radiation, flat plate or focusing solar collectors, or

In July 2009 the U.S. Virgin Islands enacted legislation creating Act 7075. This legislation requires that all new developments and substantial building modifications install energy efficient solar water heaters to provide at least 70% of the building's water heating needs. This is for all building types: residential, commercial and governmental.

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources may provide a waiver if a significant cost burden is shown. The Department will verify compliance with this requirement at the time development, construction and/or building permits are reviewed.

Eligible Technologies

Photovoltaic Energy, wind energy, hydroelectric energy, landfill gas, biomass, ocean and microturbine systems.

Requirements

In July 2009, the Virgin Islands (USVI) passed Act 7075. Among other provisions, the legislation establishes that the "peak demanded generating capacity" of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority* must be from renewables according to the following schedule:

• 20% by January 1, 2015
• 25% by January 1, 2020
• 30% by January 1, 2025

It further establishes that a "majority" of this generating capacity must come from renewables or alternative technologies beyond 2025. Joint rulemaking is to be undertaken by the Virgin Islands Energy

Under the County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP), the Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy (OAP) offers grants for farms that incorporate energy efficiency into their operations. A wide range of energy efficiency technologies are eligible for grants, given they meet the energy savings criteria.* Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. See the OAP homepage for application materials, reporting forms, and program guidelines. New applications and guidelines are available for each calendar year. Customers may also contact the Office of Agricultural Policy about loans in addition to the grant.

Eligible projects include:

• Upgrades to farm equipment
• Energy efficient lighting
• Building Insulation

Southwest Gas is offering rebates to Nevada customers for solar water heating systems installed in private residential, small business, public and other properties. Rebates are based on the amount of therms expected to be generated by the system, and the rebate amounts decline based on each "step" of the incentive program reached.

See the website above for more information.

Citizens Electric Corporation offers rebates and price reductions to its residential customers for purchasing and installing energy efficient equipment. Eligible equipment and measures include geothermal heat pumps, air-source heat pumps, dual fuel heat pumps, and water heaters and other equipment. New and existing homes are eligible for this offering. All equipment must meet CEC minimum efficiency requirements in order to receive rebate. Other rebates may be available to Citizens Electric customers through Power Moves. For more information, visit the program website or contact the utility directly.

Philadelphia Municipal Energy Master Plan for the Built Environment

The plan outlines how City government will reach these goals by reducing energy use and cleaning the energy supply. Because energy plays an important role in climate change and disaster preparedness, the plan also informs City government’s climate mitigation and adaptation work. To read the plan visit here.

This plan provides City-owned buildings a roadmap for:

• Increased energy efficiency.
• Renewable energy generation.
• Energy resiliency in municipal buildings and the built environment in Philadelphia

The plan sets four goals for City government’s owned and operated built environment:

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

North Dakota allows property owners to grant an easement that ensures adequate exposure of a wind energy system to wind. The easement runs with the land benefited and burdened, and terminates upon the conditions stated in the easement. Easements are presumed to be abandoned if construction or operation has not begun within 36 months. The statute includes a process and timeline for termination of the easement in this event.

The statutes authorizing the creation of wind easements include several provisions to protect property owners. For example, a wind easement may not make the property owner liable for any property tax