(a) To accelerate the growth of a commercially viable solar energy industry to make this system available to the public as an option that can reduce the fossil fuel consumption and costs to the Government, each government agency and instrumentality, including all branches of government, shall install solar water heating systems where it is cost-effective, based on the comparative analysis conducted under section 1102(b). If the life cycle analysis is positive, the agency shall incorporate solar water heating.
(b) Government agencies and instrumentalities entering into leases, including the renegotiation or extension of existing leases, shall:
(1) incorporate lease provisions that require energy efficiency wherever technically and economically feasible;
(2) build to suit lease solicitations that contain criteria requiring sustainable design and development, energy efficiency, and verification of facility performance;
(3) include a preference for facilities having an “ENERGY STAR” building label in their selection criteria for acquiring leased facilities; and
(4) encourage lessors to apply for an “ENERGY STAR” building label and to explore and implement projects that will reduce the costs to the Government, including projects carried out through the lessor's energy-savings contracts.
(c) The Department of Property and Procurement shall demonstrate a continuing commitment to the use of solar and other renewable and alternative energy sources in buildings owned or operated by the Government of the Virgin Islands.
(d)
(1) Within 2 years from the effective date of this chapter, the Virgin Islands Energy Office in conjunction with the Department of Property and Procurement shall establish an Energy-Efficient Fleet Management Plan with plans for the acquisition of energy-efficient government fleet of vehicles, consisting of hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, alternative fuelled vehicles, or vehicles within the top one-fifth of the most energy efficient vehicles in their class. The plan must require that within 10 years from the enactment of this chapter, the plan must be implemented throughout all departments and agencies of the Government of the Virgin Islands.
(2) All vehicles purchased after the enactment of this chapter must meet minimum fuel efficient and environmental impact national standards, as regulated by the class of vehicle.
(3) Specifically, the emergency vehicles exempted from the Fleet Management Plan include bucket trucks, utility repair trucks and digger trucks utilized by the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority and vehicles utilized by the Virgin Islands Fire Service, the Department of Public Works, the Virgin Islands Police Department and the Emergency Medical Technicians.
(4) The exemptions granted to specialty and emergency vehicles by paragraph (3) of this subsection apply only to vehicles designed to perform specific tasks where hybrid or alternative fuelled vehicles are not available, feasible or cost effective.