BILL NUMBER: AB 1918 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 24, 2014
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 26, 2014
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Williams
FEBRUARY 19, 2014
An act to add Section 25402.12 to the Public Resources Code, and
to add Section 381.3 to the Public Utilities Code, relating to
central heating and air cooling equipment.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1918, as amended, Williams. Central heating and air
cooling equipment. Energy: design and construction
standards.
Existing law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Commission to prescribe, by regulation, building design
and construction standards and energy and water conservation design
standards for new residential and nonresidential buildings.
Existing law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Commission to prescribe, by regulation, standards for
minimum levels of operating efficiency to promote the use of energy
and water efficient appliances whose use requires a significant
amount of energy or water on a statewide basis. Existing law requires
that the minimum levels of operating efficiency be based on feasible
and attainable efficiencies or feasible improved efficiencies that
will reduce the energy or water consumption growth rates. Existing
law prohibits a new appliance manufactured on or after the effective
date of the standards to be sold or offered for sale in the state
unless it is certified by the manufacturer to be in compliance with
the standards.
This bill would require the State Energy Resources Conservation
and Development Commission to develop a system to track
central heating and air cooling equipment sales and installations in
the state. identify and implement methods to simplify
processes and procedures related to compliance with the above
described standards.
Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory
authority over public utilities, as defined.
This bill would require the commission,
Public Utilities Commission, in an existing
proceeding, to establish, by January 1, 2016, an incentive program
for contractors and local governments to improve the verification of
building code compliance and acceptance of central heating and air
cooling equipment following installation.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
(a) California's building energy efficiency standards are
recognized as leading the nation in energy savings. They are an
important component of the state's programs to manage its energy
consumption, conserve natural resources, and improve the quality of
life for all its citizens.
(b) Heating and cooling buildings is one of the largest
electricity end uses in the state and is also the single largest
contributor to peak electricity demand, comprising up to 30 percent
of total demand in the hot summer months.
(c) In the 2008 Strategic Plan to Reduce the Energy Impact of Air
Conditioners, the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development
Commission identified that a heating, ventilation, and air
conditioning system (HVAC) can increase energy use by 20 or 30
percent if it is poorly installed regardless of its efficiency
rating.
(d) Permits are required for the replacement of heating and
cooling equipment and a code official must verify installation in
compliance with the building energy efficiency standards. The
effectiveness of the building energy efficiency standards is
dependent upon the conscientious efforts of licensed contractors in
California to follow these permitting requirements to build buildings
and install components and equipment in compliance with the
standards which deliver cost-effective energy savings to consumers.
(e) However, the State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Commission estimates that less than 10 percent of
replacement HVAC work is performed with the proper building permits.
This underground activity denies state and local governments license
and building permit revenue and diminishes the ability of state and
local agencies to provide enforcement services intended to protect
consumers. These practices particularly damage and diminish the
potential for conscientious compliance with the building energy
efficiency standards, as these illegal installations undermine those
who attempt to comply with the law by following the permitting
requirements.
(f) These violations result in a substantial financial loss to
consumers who purchase energy efficiency goods and services, and
represent unfair competition that dramatically impacts the economic
viability of legitimate businesses. It is critical for California to
maintain a business climate favorable to legitimate competition, so
that conscientious contractors, manufacturers, distributors,
retailers, home energy rating system raters, and other businesses are
able to sustain their businesses against unfair competition.
(g)
(e) California building codes are updated regularly,
necessitating more training and education for building officials
performing permitting, plan checking, and inspections. Providing this
education in tandem with incentives for beyond-code performance will
motivate both local building departments and contractors to
prioritize energy efficiency performance in their day-to-day
operations.
(h)
(f) In an effort to increase permitted activity, some
local jurisdictions have adopted practices that make it easier to
obtain permits or have implemented pilot programs to educate and
train local building staff. It is in California's best interest to
facilitate the adoption of demonstrated best practices for local
building departments across the state to undertake to maximize
compliance with building codes.
SEC. 2. Section 25402.12 is added to the Public Resources Code, to
read:
25402.12. The commission, in consultation with the Contractors'
State License Board, local building officials, and other
stakeholders, shall develop a system to track central
heating and air cooling equipment sales and installations in the
state. Any system developed by the commission shall be adopted by
regulation following one or more public hearings.
identify and implement methods to simplify processes and procedures
related to compliance with standards established pursuant to
subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 25402.
SEC. 3. Section 381.3 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to
read:
381.3. By January 1, 2016, the commission, in an existing
proceeding, shall establish an incentive program for contractors and
local governments to improve the verification of building code
compliance and acceptance of central heating and air cooling
equipment following installation. The incentives may include, but are
not limited to, all of the following:
(a) Funding Additional funding, as
necessary, for training and certification programs for central
heating and air cooling equipment installers, local government
building officials, contractors, builders, and school
building inspectors licensed through the Division of the State
Architect.
(b) Technical and financial support to establish performance
protocols necessary to verify performance compliance of central
heating and air cooling equipment.
(c) Financial or other support to assist local agencies in
offsetting costs associated with employing innovative approaches to
reduce barriers in the permitting process for heating and cooling
equipment, for example, expediting the permitting process and
measures to achieve greater compliance with state and local building
permit requirements.