The package of bills includes legislation to expand the use of wind, geothermal and solar energy resources…as well as the clean development of alternative fuels.  Democratic Senator Deborah Bowen says such plans are likely to resonate more now than they would have a year or two ago:

“Look at the price of oil and think about what people paid at the gas pump this morning, and what the predictions are for what’s going to happen to the price of transportation fuel.”

Some of the key provisions of the half-a-dozen bills include requiring builders to offer solar powered homes, setting strict standards for hydrogen production, and requiring the state E-P-A to post refinery violations online.