WASHINGTON (Map, News) - A package of seven bills designed to set Montgomery County on a path to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by the year 2050 passed the County Council on Tuesday, but included an amendment to delay start of the most controversial piece.

Because of the change, builders will have until 2010 to adapt to a measure requiring new construction to meet environmental standards set by Energy Star, a government-backed program to promote energy-efficiency. Homebuyers will be required to have energy audits performed and houses brought up to specifications.

Montgomery will become the first county in the nation to require the rating, developed by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Bill sponsor Roger Berliner hailed the package as “landmark legislation that will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions for decades to come,” not failing to remark it was passed on Earth Day.

Lobbyists for Maryland’s building industry were pleased with the one-year delay, saying it would allow builders time to assess home values.

“The lack of new building permit activity has a clear impact on the county’s revenue and budget projections,” said Raquel Montenegro, lobbyist for the region’s Building Industry Association. “The issue every developer is facing is how to ride through the current economic downturn.”

The passage of the bills came on the same day the National Association of Realtors released March data on existing home sales nationwide, showing a 2 percent downturn from February and a 19 percent fall from the same month last year. March also saw a 6 percent drop in single-family building permits.

Member Marc Elrich wasn’t swayed by builders’ complaints.

“Every time we try to mandate stricter environmental laws, the building industry says they’ll have to close up shop,” Elrich said.

Also included in the package of bills were property tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements and plans to look into a carbon tax and membership in a “cap and trade” program.

Staff Writer Kathleen Miller contributed to this article.

lfabel@dcexaminer.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

11:59 AM MST on Wed., Apr. 2, 2008 re: "States Sue EPA Over Global Warming"

Examiner Reader said:
How many of these "chicken little" politicians have done an impact statement on the paychecks of their constituants BEFORE they signed on to this SCHAM !!!

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10:52 AM MST on Wed., Apr. 2, 2008 re: "17 states sue to force EPA to respond to Supreme Court ruling"

Examiner Reader said:
Since this administration has totally ignored every court and congressional order to date, what makes anyone think they will honor this? Hello out there, time to hold their feet to fire so to speak, demand accountability for this and all the other acts against this country's well being that have been conducted by this administration.

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