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Backup Documents 07/27-28/2010 Item #15Fr — 15F Patricia L. Morgan From: wightdebbie [DebbieWight @colliergov.net] Sent: Friday, July 30, 2010 9:58 AM To: Patricia L. Morgan Cc: TorreJohn; SheffieldMichael Subject: FW: C. Coyle letters to Congressional Delegation re PACE Attachments: 07.27.10 Coyle letter to Sen LeMieux re PACE.pdf; 07.27.10 Coyle letter to Rep Diaz Balart re PACE.pdf; 07.27.10 Coyle letter to Rep Mack re PACE.pdf; 07.27.10 Coyle letter to Sen Nelson re PACE.pdf Importance: High Hi Trish, The attached letters to the Congressional Delegation re PACE were tasked by the BCC at the July 27 meeting during Item 15 Staff and Commission General Communication (July 28). Thanks. - Debbie From: wightdebbie Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2010 3:22 PM To: 'Amanda Wood'; Val Gelnovatch Cc: DLCOMM; ochs_I; TorreJohn; TeachScott; sulecki_a; PriceLen; IsacksonMark Subject: C. Coyle letters to Congressional Delegation re PACE Importance: High Amanda, Attached please find letters to members of the Congressional Delegation signed by Board of County Commissioners Chairman Fred Coyle requesting support for the PACE Assessment Protection Act of 2010. We would appreciate if you could deliver them to their offices at your earliest convenience. Thank you. - Debbie 1C; ., Ronfl;, i,aw, e mail Odd t, ss;ls are' pubhc ruords 1E yuu do not r`r, -Y i1� �u�, �:'-inar i aodte, � I .,Ir, a #4^ t7 Il ,J ii p. !" I c fesL .S., @Ee ��ric Pik "sd to itus efWly. InM oal, ,x itam this office h�Ir (D 15F Board of Collier County Commissioners Donna Fiala Frank Halas Tom Henning Fred W. Coyle Jim Coletta District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 July 27, 2010 The Honorable Senator George LeMieux 356 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator LeMieux: We are writing to ask you to support legislation recently introduced by Senator Mike'Fhompson known as the "Pace Assessment Protection Act of 2010. "'i'his legislation seeks to guarantee local governments the right to establish clean energy programs, known as Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE). PACE is a local government solution that helps home and building owners finance energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements and is supported by a century of legal and historical precedent for special assessment districts, including more than 37,000 districts that have been used to finance sewers, sidewalks, and other projects that serve a public purpose. In just the past two years, 22 states including the State of Florida, have passed laws enabling local governments to develop PACE programs. A number of local governments around this nation have embraced PACE as a pilot program as it appears to hold significant potential to cut energy bills, increase and create local jobs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by spurring investment in clean energy improvements. Collier County currently is researching the potential of developing a PACE program here and we would like the opportunity to explore the initiative further to evaluate how it might benefit our citizens. We note that PACE has received strong bipartisan support nationwide - in red states and blue states - because creating jobs, saving energy and reducing utility bills for families and businesses are issues important to AH Americans. Unfortunately, despite PACE's promise, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC, collectively the "Regulators ") issued recent statements blocking our- nation's PACE pilot programs. 'fhe Regulators' action is a challenge to state's rights to levy tax assessments for a public purpose and we understand they are wrongly asserting that the consumer and lender protections are not sufficient despite having their concerns addressed by a White House led inter - agency working group consisting of HUD, NEC, OMB, CEQ and DOE. Because of FHFA's oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and OCC's influence over our nation's banks, the Regulators' statements have forced existing PACE programs to halt and frozen the ability to launch residential PACE programs already under development nationwide. This effectively removes a choice we believe our local governing body has a right to make. Please urge Congress, which chartered Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and established FHFA and OCC, to act now to pass legislation that guarantees the right of state and local governments to form special assessment districts to promote clean energy programs. Please support the Pace Assessment Protection Act of 2010 so that our state's PACE programs can proceed. Sincerely, 1. Fred W. Coyle, Chairman Collier County Board of Comhty Commissioners W. Harmon Turner Building - 3301 East Tamiami Trail - Naples, Florida 34112.239- 252 -8097 • FAX 239 - 252 -3602 15F The Honorable Christopher J.Dodd, Chairman and Sen. Richard C. Shelby, Ranking Member, Senate Banking Committee The Honorable Barney Frank, Chairman and Spencer Bachus, Ranking Member, House Committee on Financial Services The Honorable Jeffrey Bingaman, Chairman and Rep. Joe Barton, Ranking Member, Energy and Natural Resources The Honorable Henry Waxrnan, Chairman and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Ranking Member Energy and Commerce Committee Ben 8eroonke, Chairman, U.S. Federal Reserve 6dDeMarco' Acting Director, F8F& Tim Geithoec Secretary o[ the Treasury, D.S. Treasury Department Sheila C. Bair, Chairman, FDIC johnC.Dugan. Comptroller of the Currency, UCC 2 15F (AD Board of Collier County Commissioners Donna Fiala Frank Halas Tom Henning Fred W. Coyle Jim Coletta District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 July 27, 2010 The Honorable Congressman Mario Diaz - Balart 328 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Congressman Diaz - Balart: We are writing to ask you to support legislation recently introduced by Senator Mike Thompson known as the "Pace Assessment Protection Act of 2010." This legislation seeks to guarantee local governments the right to establish clean energy programs, known as Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE). PACE is a local government solution that helps home and building owners finance energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements and is supported by a century of legal and historical precedent for special assessment districts, including more than 37,000 districts that have been used to finance sewers, sidewalks, and other projects that serve a public purpose. hn just the past two years, 22 states including the State of Florida, have passed laws enabling local governments to develop PACE programs. A number of local governments around this nation have embraced PACE as a pilot program as it appears to hold significant potential to cut energy bills, increase and create local jobs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by spurring investment in clean energy improvements. Collier County currently is researching the potential of developing a PACE program here and we would like the opportunity to explore the initiative further to evaluate how it might benefit our citizens. We note that PACE has received strong bipartisan support nationwide - in red states and blue states - because creating jobs, saving energy and reducing utility bills for families and businesses are issues important to AU Americans. Unfortunately, despite PACE's promise, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC, collectively the "Regulators ") issued recent statements blocking out- nation's PACE pilot programs. The Regulators' action is a challenge to state's rights to levy tax assessments for a public purpose and we understand they are wrongly asserting that the consumer and lender protections are not sufficient despite having their concerns addressed by a White House led inter - agency working group consisting of HUD, NEC, OMB, CEQ and DOE. Because of FHFA's oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and OCC's influence over our nation's banks, the Regulators' statements have forced existing PACE programs to halt and frozen the ability to launch residential PACE programs already under development nationwide. This effectively removes a choice we believe our local governing body has a right to make. Please urge Congress, which chartered Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and established FHFA and OCC, to act now to pass legislation that guarantees the right of state and local governments to form special assessment districts to promote clean energy programs. Please support the Pace Assessment Protection Act of 2010 so that our state's PACE programs can proceed. Sincerely, Fred W. Coyle, Chairman Collier County Board of County Commissioners W. Hannon Turner Building • 3301 East Tamiami Trail • Naples, Florida 34112.239 -252 -8097 • FAX 239 - 252 -3602 15 F The Honorable Christopher ). Dodd, Chairman and Sen. Richard C. Shelby, Ranking Member, Senate Banking Committee The Honorable Barney Frank, Chairman and Spencer Bachus, Ranking Member, House Committee on Financial Services The Honorable Jeffrey Bingaman, Chairman and Rep. Joe Barton, Ranking Member, Energy and Natural Resources The Honorable Henry Waxman, Chairman and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Ranking Member Energy and Commerce Committee Ben 8eruaukr' Chairman, U.5. Federal Reserve £dDrMa,cu' Acting Director, FHFA Tim GejLhnor. Secretary of the Treasury, O.s. Treasury Department Sheila C.Boic Chairman, FDIC John C. Dugan, Comptroller of the Currency, 0C[ 15F Board of Collier County Commissioners Donna Fiala Frank Halas District 1 District 2 The Honorable Congressman Connie Mack 115 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Mack: Tom Henning Fred W. Coyle District 3 District 4 July 27, 2010 Jim Coletta District 5 We are writing to ask you to support legislation recently introduced by Senator Mike 'Thompson known as the "Pace Assessment Protection Act of 2010." This legislation seeks to guarantee local governments the right to establish clean energy programs, known as Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE). PACE is a local government solution that helps home and building owners finance energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements and is supported by a century of legal and historical precedent for special assessment districts, including more than 37,000 districts that have been used to finance sewers, sidewalks, and other projects that serve a public purpose. In just the past two years, 22 states including the State of Florida, have passed laws enabling local governments to develop PACE programs. A number of local governments around this nation have embraced PACE as a pilot program as it appears to hold significant potential to cut energy bills, increase and create local jobs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by spurring investment in clean energy improvements. Collier County currently is researching the potential of developing a PACE program here and we would like the opportunity to explore the initiative further to evaluate how it might benefit our citizens. We note that PACE has received strong bipartisan support nationwide - in red states and blue states - because creating jobs, saving energy and reducing utility bills for families and businesses are issues important to aU Americans. Unfortunately, despite PACE's promise, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OC:C:, collectively the "Regulators ") issued recent statements blocking our nation's PACE pilot programs. The Regulators' action is a challenge to state's rights to levy tax assessments for a public purpose and we understand they are wrongly asserting that the consumer and lender protections are not sufficient despite having their concerns addressed by a White House led inter - agency working group consisting of HUD, NEC, OMB, CEQ and DOE. Because of FHFA's oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and OCC's influence over our nation's banks, the Regulators' statements have forced existing PACE programs to halt and frozen the ability to launch residential PACE programs already under development nationwide. This effectively removes a choice we believe our local governing body has a right to make. Please urge Congress, which chartered Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and established FHFA and OCC, to act now to pass legislation that guarantees the right of state and local governments to form special assessment districts to promote clean energy programs. Please support the Pace Assessment Protection Act of 2010 so that our state's PACE programs can proceed. Sincerely, '1 1 %7 Fred W. Coyle, Chairman Collier County Board of Courify Commissioners W. Harmon Tuner Building • 3301 East Tamiami Trail • Naples, Florida 34112.239- 252 -8097 • FAX 239 - 252 -3602 15F The Honorable Christopher [ Dodd, Chairman and Sen. Richard C. Shelby, Ranking 04embp�Senate Banking Committee The Honorable Barney Frank, Chairman and Spencer Bachus, Ranking Member, House Committee on Financial Services The Honorable Jeffrey Bingaman, Chairman and Rep. Joe Barton, Ranking Mernber, Energy and Natural Resources The Honorable Henry Waxman, Chairman and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Ranking Member Energy and Commerce Committee Ben Deruaoke. Chairman, O.8.Federal Reserve EdDexxorco' Acting Director, FHPA Tlm6eicboer, Secretary o[ the Treasury, U.S. Treasury Department Sheila C. Bair, Chairman, FDIC John C. Dugan, Comptroller o[d`r Currency, 0CC July 27, 2010 The Honorable Senator Bill Nelson 716 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 2051.0 Dear Senator Nelson: We are writing to ask you to support legislation recently introduced by Senator Mike Thompson known as the "Pace Assessment Protection Act of 2010." This legislation seeks to guarantee local governments the right to establish clean energy programs, known as Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE). PACE is a local government solution that helps home and building owners finance energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements and is supported by a century of legal and historical precedent for special assessment districts, including more than 37,000 districts that have been used to finance sewers, sidewalks, and other projects that serve a public purpose. In just the past two years, 22 states including the State of Florida, have passed laws enabling local governments to develop PACE programs. A number of local governments around this nation have embraced PACE as a pilot program as it appears to hold significant potential to cut energy bills, increase and create local jobs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by spurring investment in clean energy improvements. Collier County currently is researching the potential of developing a PACE program here and we would like the opportunity to explore the initiative further to evaluate how it might benefit our citizens. We note that PACE has received strong bipartisan support nationwide - in red states and blue states - because creating jobs, saving energy and reducing utility bills for, families and businesses are issues important to all Americans. Unfortunately, despite PACE's promise, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (F•HFA) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC, collectively the "Regulators ") issued recent statements blocking our nation's PACE pilot programs. The Regulators' action is a challenge to state's rights to levy tax assessments for a public purpose and we understand they are wrongly asserting that the consumer and lender protections are not sufficient despite having their concerns addressed by a White House led inter- agency working group consisting of HUD, NEC, OMB, CEQ and DOE. Because of FHFA's oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and OCC's influence over our nation's banks, the Regulators' statements have forced existing PACE programs to halt and frozen the ability to launch residential PACE programs already under development nationwide. This effectively removes a choice we believe our local governing body has a right to make. Please urge Congress, which chartered Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and established FHFA and OCC, to act now to pass legislation that guarantees the right of state and local governments to form special assessment districts to promote clean energy programs. Please support the Pace Assessment Protection Act of 201.0 so that our state's PACE programs can proceed. Sincerely, i i 1 Fred W. Coyle, Chairman, Collier County Board of County Commissioners W. Hannon Tuner Building • 3301 East Tamiami Trail • Naples, Florida 34112.239- 252 -8097 FAX 239 - 252 -3602 0 15F Board of Collier County Commissioners Donna Fiala Frank Halas Tom Henning Fred W. Coyle Jim Coletta District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 July 27, 2010 The Honorable Senator Bill Nelson 716 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 2051.0 Dear Senator Nelson: We are writing to ask you to support legislation recently introduced by Senator Mike Thompson known as the "Pace Assessment Protection Act of 2010." This legislation seeks to guarantee local governments the right to establish clean energy programs, known as Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE). PACE is a local government solution that helps home and building owners finance energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements and is supported by a century of legal and historical precedent for special assessment districts, including more than 37,000 districts that have been used to finance sewers, sidewalks, and other projects that serve a public purpose. In just the past two years, 22 states including the State of Florida, have passed laws enabling local governments to develop PACE programs. A number of local governments around this nation have embraced PACE as a pilot program as it appears to hold significant potential to cut energy bills, increase and create local jobs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by spurring investment in clean energy improvements. Collier County currently is researching the potential of developing a PACE program here and we would like the opportunity to explore the initiative further to evaluate how it might benefit our citizens. We note that PACE has received strong bipartisan support nationwide - in red states and blue states - because creating jobs, saving energy and reducing utility bills for, families and businesses are issues important to all Americans. Unfortunately, despite PACE's promise, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (F•HFA) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC, collectively the "Regulators ") issued recent statements blocking our nation's PACE pilot programs. The Regulators' action is a challenge to state's rights to levy tax assessments for a public purpose and we understand they are wrongly asserting that the consumer and lender protections are not sufficient despite having their concerns addressed by a White House led inter- agency working group consisting of HUD, NEC, OMB, CEQ and DOE. Because of FHFA's oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and OCC's influence over our nation's banks, the Regulators' statements have forced existing PACE programs to halt and frozen the ability to launch residential PACE programs already under development nationwide. This effectively removes a choice we believe our local governing body has a right to make. Please urge Congress, which chartered Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and established FHFA and OCC, to act now to pass legislation that guarantees the right of state and local governments to form special assessment districts to promote clean energy programs. Please support the Pace Assessment Protection Act of 201.0 so that our state's PACE programs can proceed. Sincerely, i i 1 Fred W. Coyle, Chairman, Collier County Board of County Commissioners W. Hannon Tuner Building • 3301 East Tamiami Trail • Naples, Florida 34112.239- 252 -8097 FAX 239 - 252 -3602 15F The Honorable Christopher |. Dodd, Chairman and Sen. Richard CShelby, Ranking Member, Senate Banking Committee The Honorable Barney Frank, Chairman and Spencer Bachus, Ranking Member, House Committee on Financial Services The Honorable Jeffrey Bingaman, Chairman and Rep. Joe Bar-ton, Ranking Member, Energy and Natural Resources The Honorable Henry Waxman, Chairman and Seri. Lisa Murkowski, Ranking Member Energy and Commerce Committee Ben 8eroaokr. Chairman, D.S. Federal Reserve EdDeD4a,zo' Acting Director, FOFA Tim Vcitbne,. Secretary nf the Treasury, U.S. Treasury Department Sheila C. Bair, Chairman, FDIC John C. Dugan, Comptroller n[ the Currency, 0CC