SB 870

Abstract

Requires Department of Consumer and Business Services to study how to build resiliency and efficiency into buildings. Directs department to submit findings to interim committees of Legislative Assembly related to environment not later than September 15, 2024.] Requires State Department of Energy in consultation with Department of Consumer and Business Services to specify energy performance standard for covered commercial buildings that seeks to maximize reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, includes energy use intensity targets that apply to specific types of buildings and that provides for methods to achieve conditional compliance. Specifies requirements for State Department of Energy and discretion that department may exercise in specifying energy performance standard and developing energy use intensity targets. Requires department to notify eligible building owners concerning energy performance standard and energy use intensity targets and allows department to approve eligible building owner's use of conditional compliance method in lieu of full compliance. Permits municipality to adopt energy performance standard and greenhouse gas emission reduction standards that are more stringent or have broader application than department's standard or targets. Requires eligible building owners to report to department concerning compliance with energy performance standard. Specifies required contents of reports. Requires department to provide support program with information, training, technical assistance and telephone and electronic mail support for meeting energy use intensity targets. Specifies dates by which eligible building owners must comply with energy performance standard. Permits department to impose civil penalty for failure to comply. Directs department to establish requirement and standard under which specified eligible building owners must provide data that would allow department to set benchmark for energy use in and greenhouse gas emissions from certain covered commercial buildings. Requires department to establish program to pay incentives to eligible building owners to encourage compliance with energy performance standard. Permits department to contract with another person to administer payments. Specifies qualifications for and rates of payment. Declares emergency, effective on passage.