'Green' bills for vehicles, schools clear the House

A pair of environmentally friendly bills skated through the House on Thursday.

HB122, sponsored by Rep. Roz McGee, D-Salt Lake, creates a $1,000 tax credit for fuel-efficient automobiles.

The state currently has a $3,000 tax credit that applies to a narrow line of vehicles. McGee said the new credit would better cover cars that might be part of emerging technology.

Republican Roger Barrus, Centerville, spoke on behalf of the bill. "We are all trying to become less dependent on foreign energy," he said, explaining that HB122 would be a move in that direction.

The House voted 68-0 to send the bill to the Senate.

Barrus saw his own energy bill move through the House. HB351 would set up a loan fund that would be available to public schools to help pay for eco-friendly upgrades.

"They could take an older building and improve it ... by replacing older windows, replacing lighting," Barrus said.

The loan would charge schools a low interest rate to access the money. Barrus call it "proven model."

HB351 passed out of the House 70-0.

Both bills are part of a larger energy package that has bipartisan support.