BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 2543
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 4, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES
Das Williams, Chair
AB 2543
(Gordon) - As Introduced February 19, 2016
SUBJECT: State buildings: efficiency
SUMMARY: Revises existing energy efficiency planning
requirements for state facilities to give the California Energy
Commission (CEC) lead responsibility, instead of the Department
of General Services (DGS), and adds consideration of water
conservation.
EXISTING LAW:
1)Requires DGS, in consultation with the CEC, to develop a
multi-year plan, to be updated biennially, with the goal of
exploiting all practicable and cost-effective energy
efficiency measures in state facilities. Requires DGS make
related recommendations and report on:
a) Progress made toward implementing energy efficiency
measures in state facilities;
b) The most common energy efficiency measures being
implemented;
c) Obstacles preventing further implementation of energy
AB 2543
Page 2
efficiency measures; and,
d) How current efforts and ideas can be incorporated into
the Governor's five-year infrastructure plan.
2)Authorizes the State Public Works Board to develop energy and
water conservation and design efficiency standards for state
buildings.
3)Requires all new state buildings, as well as existing
buildings when renovated or remodeled, to meet energy
efficiency standards adopted by the CEC, and requires DGS or
other responsible state agencies to consider additional energy
efficiency measures that are cost-effective and feasible.
4)Requires all new public buildings to be models of energy
efficiency - designed, constructed and equipped with all
energy efficiency measures, materials and devices that are
feasible and cost-effective.
5)Pursuant to Executive Order S-20-04, requires the state to
take specified actions, including: 1) committing to
aggressive action to reduce state building electricity usage
by 20% by 2015, through cost-effective efficiency measures and
distributed generation technologies; and, 2) siting,
constructing, and operating all new and renovated state-owned
facilities as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
(LEED) Silver or higher certified buildings.
THIS BILL:
1)Revises the multi-year plan required under existing law to
give CEC lead responsibility, in consultation with DGS.
2)Adds water conservation to the planning requirement.
3)Prohibits the plan from prohibiting, limiting, or superseding
more stringent green building requirements for public
AB 2543
Page 3
buildings.
4)Excludes from the plan buildings leased by the state, except
those financed through lease-revenue bonds.
5)Requires DGS to consult with CEC when making recommendations
to improve energy efficiency and water efficiency in state
facilities and developing the related report.
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown
COMMENTS:
1)Background. Since at least 1991, state law has required new
and renovated state buildings to meet prevailing energy
efficiency standards and to consider additional measures when
cost-effective and feasible. Over the same period, DGS has
been required to continually update an energy efficiency plan
for state facilities. However, because their capital budgets
are disconnected from their utility budgets, state agencies
often have lacked the incentive and the funds to fully exploit
cost-effective energy efficiency opportunities in building
design and materials.
DGS' most recent report, Biennial Report for Energy Efficiency
in Public Buildings, was submitted to the Legislature July 25,
2013. The report includes progress made on greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions reductions, energy efficiency, reducing
grid-based energy purchases, demand response programs, on-site
renewable energy goals, building design and construction,
existing buildings, building commissioning, indoor
environmental quality, water efficiency and conservation,
electric vehicle charging, and environmentally preferable
purchasing. According to the report, "the greatest obstacle
to implementing energy efficiency measures is lack of funding.
The prolonged economic downturn has greatly impacted the
availability of General Fund allocations to projects that are
AB 2543
Page 4
critical to the function of state programs."
2)This bill. While DGS has oversight over state facilities, CEC
has broader expertise and experience with energy and water
efficiency measures and potential funding sources. This bill
would give CEC a greater role in ensuring that the state is
doing as much as possible to improve energy and water
efficiency.
According to the author:
In order to foster energy efficiency in state operations,
AB 2543 seeks to create a stronger investigative
partnership between the CEC and DGS in order to identify
potential measures for greater energy use efficiency in
state buildings. The CEC will lead the evaluation, and DGS
will continue to report progress in the implementation of
energy efficiency measures in state facilities. This bill
would also enhance the scope of the process to include
water conservation and efficiency strategies.
3)Double referral. This bill has also been referred to the
Assembly Accountability and Administrative Review Committee.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
California Municipal Utilities Association
Opposition
AB 2543
Page 5
None on file
Analysis Prepared by:Elizabeth MacMillan / NAT. RES. / (916)
319-2092