BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2614
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 2614 (John A. Perez)
As Amended May 13, 2010
Majority vote
UTILITIES & COMMERCE 15-0
APPROPRIATIONS 17-0
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|Ayes:|Bradford, Knight, Tom |Ayes:|Fuentes, Conway, Ammiano, |
| |Berryhill, Buchanan, | |Bradford, Charles |
| |Carter, Fletcher, Fong, | |Calderon, Coto, Davis, |
| |Fuentes, Fuller, | |Monning, Ruskin, Harkey, |
| |Furutani, Huffman, Ma, | |Miller, Nielsen, Norby, |
| |Skinner, Swanson, | |Skinner, Solorio, |
| |Villines | |Torlakson, Torrico |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Requires the California Energy Commission (CEC) to
undertake several activities upon enactment of pending federal
legislation regarding energy efficiency. Specifically, this
bill :
1) Directs CEC, upon enactment of the federal Home Star
Energy Retrofit Act of 2010, to develop programs required
to complement the Act by establishing a quality assurance
program, thus ensuring a qualified pool of home energy
inspectors are available to perform energy audits, and that
the requisite audits are performed and various financing
options are developed.
2) Directs CEC to:
a) Work with Department of Community Services and
Development and Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to
streamline procedures for low-income homeowners eligible
under the federal program;
b) Work with CPUC and the investor-owned utilities (IOUs)
to coordinate program implementation and provide proper
outreach to consumers; and,
c) Coordinate with Green Collar Jobs Council to ensure
Council's programs complement the Home Star program to the
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greatest extent possible.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Requires CEC to develop and implement a comprehensive program
to achieve greater energy savings in existing residential and
nonresidential building stock, including energy assessments,
cost-effective energy efficiency improvements, financing
options, public outreach, and education efforts.
2)Requires CEC to establish criteria for adopting a statewide
home energy rating program for residential dwellings, and
requires CEC to adopt the program in consultation with
representatives of the Department of Real Estate, the
Department of Housing and Community Development, the
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), investor-owned
and municipal utilities, cities and counties, real estate
licensees, home builders, mortgage lenders, home appraisers
and inspectors, home energy rating organizations, contractors
who provide home energy services, consumer groups, and
environmental groups.
FISCAL EFFECT: CEC would likely need several staff positions
to implement the Home Star Act. Per the current provisions of
the pending federal legislation, 3.6% of the grant amount to
states would be available for administrative and related costs.
COMMENTS : This bill is intended to have California ready to
implement a new program as soon as the federal government
approves the financing. On May 5, the Home Star Energy Retrofit
Act of 2010 passed the House of Representatives, and has since
been referred to a Senate Committee. The bill would establish
the Home Star Retrofit Program, and authorize $6.6 billion in
federal funding to provide rebates to homeowners who retrofit
their homes to achieve energy savings.
Two levels of rebates are proposed: 1) a Silver Star retrofit
program would award rebates of up to $1,500 per home during the
first year after enactment, for retrofit work that installs
specified energy saving measures, including air-sealing and
insulation measures, duct seal or replacement, window or door
replacement, heating or cooling system replacement, and water
heater replacement; and, 2) a Gold Star retrofit program to
award rebates of up to $8,000 per home for retrofit work that
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achieves whole home energy savings.
States that receive funding under the Act must submit to the
U.S. Secretary of Energy plan to implement quality assurance
programs that cover the residential energy efficiency retrofit
work. In addition, the Secretary is to establish a Home Star
Energy Efficiency Loan Program, to make funds available to
states to support financial assistance provided by qualified
financing entities for energy saving measures under the Silver
Star or Gold Star programs.
Analysis Prepared by : Gina Adams / U. & C. / (916) 319-2083
FN: 0004675