Feb 15 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Moscow-Pullman Daily News, Moscow, Idaho


Moscow residents interested in renewable energy for their homes may have a new financing tool available to them in the future.

The Moscow Planning and Zoning Commission has been discussing the concept of a "Green Assessment District" in recent meetings. The concept, which has been implemented in other parts of the country, is similar to the Local Improvement Districts already in place in the city and would give homeowners access to public funds for specific energy projects that would be paid back as a tax on the property.

Rather than using the funds to pay for sidewalks, streets or other public infrastructure improvements the way an LID would, the Green District would help individuals mitigate the up-front costs of energy projects on their private homes.

Moscow resident Al Poplawsky brought the idea to the commission last spring using a district in Berkeley, Calif., as an example. The commission expressed interest in the concept, but the idea stalled when City Attorney Randy Fife determined the city did not have the authority to create such districts under current Idaho law.

 Community Development Director Bill Belknap said legislation would be required at the state level before the city could move forward with the plan. Idaho State Rep. Brian Cronin, D-Boise, is considering proposing such legislation and is modeling it after an act recently adopted in New Mexico pertaining to districts for solar panels, Belknap said.

Belknap said the idea is just in the exploratory phase at the state and local level, though the Planning and Zoning Commission did craft a letter addressed to Mayor Nancy Chaney and the City Council urging them to support the concept.

He said Avista Corp. also has expressed interest in green districts, and Avista Regional Business Manager Paul Kimmell has attended recent commission meetings to speak on the subject.

Belknap said it's unlikely a bill will be introduced in Boise this year because the legislative session already is under way.

"I think this is something that is going to be worked on over the summer and perhaps introduced next year," he said.

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