BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 1928
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Date of Hearing: March 29, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON WATER, PARKS, AND WILDLIFE
Marc Levine, Chair
AB 1928
(Campos) - As Introduced February 12, 2016
SUBJECT: Water efficiency: landscape irrigation equipment
SUMMARY: Extends the date from January 1, 2010 to January 1,
2018, by which the State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Commission (Energy Commission) is to adopt landscape
irrigation equipment performance standards and labeling
requirements. Additionally extends the date from January 1,
2012 to January 1, 2020 when the sale of landscape irrigation
equipment that does not meet established performance standards
and labeling requirements would be banned. Specifically, this
bill:
1)Requires the Energy Commission to take into consider
efficiency improvements since January 1, 2010, when adopting
regulations on landscape irrigation.
2)Extends performance standards and labeling requirements from
January 1, 2010, to January 1, 2018.
3)Extends the implementation of a ban on the sale of irrigation
equipment that does not meet performance standards and
labeling requirements from January 1, 2012, to January 1,
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2020.
EXISTING LAW:
Requires to the extent funds are available the Energy
Commission in consultation with the Department of Water
Resources to adopt regulations by January 1, 2010, on
landscape irrigation performance standards and labeling. Bans
the sale of a landscape irrigation controller or moisture
sensor by January 1, 2012, unless performance standards and
labeling requirements are met.
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown.
COMMENTS:
1)Author's Statement: The author states that collectively, we
have made huge strides with indoor conservation and have
become more water conscious. However, according to the
Department of Water Resources upwards of 45% of residential
water use takes place outdoors; having water efficient
irrigation equipment will translate into significant water
savings. This bill will help California take the next and
long-overdue steps in recommitting ourselves to improving
outdoor water efficiency.
2)Background: The Energy Commission has not yet adopted
regulations on landscape irrigation performance standards or
labeling requirements because funds have not been made
available. Executive Order B-29-15 from April of 2015 focused
in several ways on landscape irrigation. The order directed
the Energy Commission to fund emerging water saving
technologies, directed the State Water Resources Control Board
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to impose a 25 percent reduction in urban water use over 2013
levels, and directed the Department of Water Resources to
update the state model water efficient landscape ordinance to
specifically increase water efficiency through more efficient
irrigation standards.
Technology in landscape irrigation has advanced in recent
years with numerous new efficient irrigation controller and
moisture sensing devices coming to the market. The cost of
water has increased significantly in the past decade and is
projected to increase annually at a rate of 4% or higher.
Consumers appear to be responding to these conditions as it
has been reported that one of the largest areas of sales
growth during the drought at home improvement stores has been
efficient landscape irrigation equipment.
The Energy Commission has operated very successful energy
efficiency programs. It has been estimated that the
multi-pronged approach of energy saving programs, building
standards, and appliance standards has produced $90 billion of
energy savings, created hundreds of thousands of efficiency
jobs, and avoided the construction of 41 power plants.
Water efficiency programs hold the potential to produce
similar significant benefits. With nearly half of all urban
water use occurring outdoors there is a clear need and
opportunity to explore ways to improve landscape irrigation.
3)Prior and Related Legislation:
a) AB 1881 (Laird), Chapter 559, Statutes of 2006,
required the Energy Commission to adopt performance
standards for landscape irrigation equipment and banned
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the sale of noncompliant irrigation equipment after
January 1, 2012.
b) AB 2525 (Holden) of 2016 requires the Department of
Water Resources to establish the California Water
Efficient Landscaping Program, to among other things,
promote the efficient use of water in landscaping. AB
2525 is pending in this committee.
4)Supporting Arguments: This bill would make strides in water
efficiency measures in the fifth year of California's ongoing
drought. Currently, water efficiency labels are only required
for indoor appliance despite half of residential water use
occurring outside the home for landscape irrigation. This
bill would make an extension of these requirements to
encompass outdoor equipment. Given the significant
technological innovation in this equipment in the last several
years it is time to finally establish water efficiency
standards and labeling requirements for this equipment.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA)
California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA)
City of Saratoga
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Gilroy Chamber of Commerce
Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors
Santa Clara Valley Water District
Opposition
None on File
Analysis Prepared by:Ryan Ojakian / W., P., & W. / (916)
319-2096
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