9 hot energy issues: states are looking at a number of energy issues--some old, some new--this year.

• Author: Brown, Matthew H.

The energy spotlight has moved. No longer are states concerned with opening markets to competition. Today they're looking at a host of issues that improve the environment, save money for consumers, ensure the power is there when we need it, and decrease our reliance on foreign oil.

1 Conserving Energy in State Buildings. It saves money while increasing the reliability of the electricity system. New Ha\en, Conn., saved $500,000 in one year by cutting energy use in municipal buildings. Arizona, Hawaii, Indiana, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Virginia and Washington are also requiring of providing incentives for reducing energy use in state buildings.

The states that are looking at it: Connecticut, Illinois and New Jersey are considering actions to either require or encourage energy efficiency in buildings owned by the state.

2 Cleaning Up the Air. Smog, soot and acid rain are still a problem in a number of states. Polluted air is a health hazard, as well as the culprit in altering the earth's climate. North Carolina significantly reduced sulfur dioxide (S[O.sub.2]) and nitrous oxide (N[O.sub.x]) emissions through its 2002 Clean Smokestacks Act. New Hampshire and Massachusetts also have strong legislation.

The states that are looking at it: Virginia is considering cutting production of sulfur dioxide by 88 percent, nitrogen oxide by 75 percent and mercury by 90 percent.

3 Reconsidering Electricity Deregulation. Competition seemed like a good idea that would offer customers the option of choosing suppliers while cutting costs. But when California first tried it--and encouraged utilities to get out of the business of generating power--it resulted in rolling blackouts two years ago.

The states that are looking at it: California is considering bills to encourage utilities to get back into the generating business and improve the way utilities buy electricity for resale to their customers. Massachusetts is considering legislation that would reconfigure--again--the way residential customers buy power.

4 Making Appliances Efficient. States are going beyond the federal efficiency rules to help consumers save energy--and money over the long run--by setting standards of energy efficiency for a variety of products. Maryland's new standards apply to an assortment of appliances and fixtures from ceiling fans to traffic lights. Estimates are that the new law could save enough energy by 2010 to power some 75,000 households. Maine and New Hampshire also have...