Page 58 - Green Builder July-August 2020 Issue
P. 58
CODE ARENA
The Latest Rules, Regulations and Codes Impacting Sustainable Construction
Stalled Bills Encourage Solar,
Self-Sufficiency Despite the coronavirus, Illinois lawmakers
still have work to do
BY MIKE COLLIGNON
UE TO COVID , a large
number of legislative ini-
tiatives were understand-
ably sidelined to prioritize
D the needed public health
response. Unfortunately, that meant
that many good ideas were shelved
until an unknown time period. Some
could be resurrected later in the year,
while others might have to wait for a
future legislative session.
This edition of Code Arena focuses
on one state’s postponed ideas. Perhaps
they will be brought back (sooner rather
than later) or perhaps, by publicizing
them, they will inspire other states
or municipalities to draft something
similar.
ILLINOIS
During the latest session, the state CREDIT: NOYA FIELDSFLICKR
legislature had multiple bills focused
focused on renewable energy and
resilience. Here’s where a number of Power up? In-home electric charging stations will be more accessible to certain Illinois homeowners if
proposals currently sit: lawmakers resume action on anti-restriction legislation.
. HB is attempting to eliminate restrictions or prohibitions . HB is a very curious bill. The intent is to provide property tax
from Common Interest Community Association and Homeown- support for properties with a solar energy system. How would it
ers’ Associations (HOAs) on electric vehicle charging stations. The do that? By stipulating “the alternate valuation shall be the lesser
bill would render such onerous restrictions or prohibitions void of the value of the property without the solar energy system or
and unenforceable for “the installation or use of an electric vehicle the value of the property with the solar energy system.”
charging station within an owner’s unit or in a designated parking That’s all well and good, but it also provides a potentially con-
space or an electric vehicle dedicated time-of-use (TOU) meter.” icting signal to the market. One of the selling points for solar
Furthermore, if the association “willfully violates the provisions,” systems has been the increased property values associated with
it is then “liable to the unit owner for actual damages and shall that upgrade. Studies have been conducted to provide evidence
pay a civil penalty to the unit owner in an amount not to exceed of the higher resale values, and the PV Value Tool was created as
$ ,.” In late February, HB was referred to a House subcom- a nationwide resource. Hopefully, the reduced alternate valuation
mittee, where it is still parked. won’t confuse data aggregation systems or analysis used by real
. The same fate has befallen HB , which looks to limit estate agents and/or appraisers.
home rule powers over the installation or use of solar energy If passed, this new process would begin in assessment year .
systems. It’s still sitting in the House Rules Committee, Since early February, it has been stuck in a House subcommittee.
though it would go into effect immediately upon passage. . SB was introduced in mid-February, and aims to “protect the
56 GREEN BUILDER July/August 2020 www.greenbuildermedia.com
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