BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 2408
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Date of Hearing: April 16, 2012
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
Wesley Chesbro, Chair
AB 2408 (Skinner) - As Introduced: February 24, 2012
SUBJECT : Energy: conservation
SUMMARY : Repeals the requirement that activities undertaken by
the California Energy Commission (CEC) to develop a
comprehensive program to achieve greater energy savings in
existing residential and nonresidential buildings, formally
known as the AB 758 Comprehensive Energy Efficiency Program for
Existing Buildings (AB 758 Program), be funded by the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
EXISTING LAW requires CEC to establish regulations to develop
and implement a comprehensive program to achieve greater energy
savings in California's existing residential and nonresidential
building stock. The program is targeted at buildings that "fall
significantly below" the current Title 24 energy efficiency
standards. Requires the program to:
1)Minimize the overall costs of establishing and implementing
the energy efficiency program requirements.
2)For residential buildings:
a) Ensure that the energy efficiency assessments, ratings,
or improvements do not unreasonably or unnecessarily affect
the home purchasing process or the ability of individuals
to rent housing; and,
b) Determine the appropriateness of the Home Energy Rating
System program to support the goals of the program.
3)For nonresidential buildings:
a) Ensure that the energy improvements do not have an undue
economic impact on California businesses; and,
b) Determine the availability of an appropriate
cost-effective energy efficiency assessment system.
4)Coordinate with related departments and avoid duplication of
AB 2408
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existing programs.
5)Requires that this program be funded by ARRA or other sources
of non-state funds.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS : Chapter 470, Statutes of 2009 (AB 758, Skinner)
established the AB 758 Program. The program has been
successful; it has implemented 11 pilot programs throughout
California to assess and retrofit inefficient buildings.
Benefits from the program are not limited to increased energy
efficiency and reduced electricity costs; the pilot programs
have also created green jobs. For example, one pilot located in
the Sacramento area "will provide Home Energy Rating system
Phase II audits and/or home performance retrofits to 15,150
homes, preserve or create 1,148 jobs, provide high quality
retrofits to 1,050 low-income homes and 100 moderate-income
foreclosed, purchased, and renovated homes, Ýand] create
significant demand for building science professionals?"
According to the author, the AB 758 Program was intended to be
an ongoing program funded through any available funding sources.
Assemblymember Skinner submitted a letter to the CEC clarifying
this intent at the time the bill was chaptered.
This bill repeals the requirement that the AB 758 Program be
funded exclusively by ARRA and other non-state funds, which will
allow CEC to pursue all available funding options.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
None on file
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Elizabeth MacMillan / NAT. RES. / (916)
319-2092
AB 2408
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