NE2: The Clean Government Act of 2012

[Barnes]

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have been made aware that the most recent regional budget appropriated $50 billion toward green energy - and where better a place to be green than our own government?

The task-force might sound like a beaurocrat's dream, but it isn't that in the slightest. Its role is to make certain each green installation is cost effective, truly renewable, beneficial locally, and popular with the workers it would affect. I much prefer this route than letting us abritrarily assign the forms of renewable energy to be used.

Also, I've included a long period between the (hopeful) passage of this bill and its start date, thus giving the region and communities time to prepare for it.

I welcome any questions.

[Barnes]

Could you give us an estimate of the costs behind this bill?

I apologize for not being able to answer your question earlier. I don't have concrete numbers in front of me at the moment, but I will be requesting a fiscal review by a few different individuals (the GAB, etc.).

I will say however, that the task-force charged with upgrading these buildings is charged with making the process as cost-effective as possible and to only use regional products and labor.

[Barnes]

I fully support the first and fifth sections of this bill (the typographical error in the latter excepted).

I am less certain of whether I favor its other provisions. The timetable outlined in section two seems particularly unrealistic to me, although I will defer to the GM's judgement on that. In general, I would prefer to see a greater focus on reducing energy consumption, and I may offer suggestions to that effect at a later time. That said, I am willing to sign this bill if the estimated costs are not excessive.

I thank you for your support, Governor. I intend to frame the legislation I introduce in such a way that at least parts of it may pass through the assembly if others seem unable to.

I completely agree that we must strive to reduce energy consumption - but the crux of the problem is the type of energy we need to conserve.  We must act to reduce our region's carbon footprint and we must do it in an effective and encompassing manner. 

I am willing to compromise where we may to pass this bill, but I must implore the assembly to head my concerns: we must act now in this issue or we will be left in the wind.

[Barnes]

I motion for an extension of the debate time.

Amendments to section 1 and 6 accepted as friendly; I'm not sure about section 7.  Bore, can you expand upon this idea?

[Barnes]

I motion for an extension of the debate time.

Uh...

We can't. The Assembly is not allowed to debate a bill for more than 120 hours, or five days. This is the fifth day.

I must have been a day off when I counted earlier! I promise I know the rules!

In that case, I accept bore's section 7 amendment as friendly, and further amend it as follows:
7. If a building fails to pass the review, the building shall be placed on probation a review list with a follow up review after a year.

When we get to the vote on passage, I strongly urge my fellow representatives to consider the challenges we are faced with by this new, 21st century energy crisis, and see that this bill is a step along the way to a cleaner and greener future.

[Barnes]

Aye.

[Barnes]

I'd like to thank the assembly for the great step we've taken today!  The unanimity of this vote shows how united we all really are behind this issue and how far we can go working together!