Monday, February 25, 2008; Posted: 9.38 pm (CDT)

Lawmakers are putting forth several measures to try and cut energy costs. Senator Andrew Rice, D-Oklahoma City, is trying to lower energy consumption for schools and state vehicles. No matter how they go about it, lawmakers agree Oklahoma can't continue to look for short-term solutions, so they're looking to the rest of the nation as an example.

"It's not a flash in the pan; it's not a short-term, trendy solution," says Humphreys Real Estate Investments CEO Grant Humphreys.

State Representative Lance Cargill, R-Harrah, says he's trying to move Oklahoma up when it comes to lowering energy costs. His solution is House Bill 3394. He calls it the 'Conserving Oklahoma Act.'

"It is the best and most proper use--I believe--of state resources and state taxpayer dollars," says Rep. Cargill.

The measure would require construction of state-owned buildings to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System, or LEED.

"LEED certification provides independent, third party verification that a building is sustainable, profitable and a healthy to live or to work," says Rep. Cargill.

The system assigns points for things like water efficiency, sustainable sites and innovation and design. Twenty-six to 32 points equals certification.

"New construction is going to LEED because they feel like in then years if they're not LEED certified they'll be marketably obsolete," says Humphreys.

Like most environmentally friendly things, it comes with a price. Estimates show up-front costs could be two to five percent higher, but supporters say it's more like an investment.

"We're going to see probably about a 40 percent decrease in owner electrical costs or energy costs per year because of those efficient steps," says Humphreys.

"The two percent additional cost coming with LEED certified buildings is generally paid back to the taxpayer in less than 15 months," says Rep. Cargill.

There has been criticism about the LEED system. Some say it's not stringent enough because its scoring system is skewed toward fossil fuels. Representative Cargill says inspiration came from the '100 Ideas' book. It was released in January and features the laws Oklahomans wanted to see. If the 'Conserving Oklahoma Act' becomes law, it would not affect any buildings or renovations that entered into the design phase prior to July first of this year.