Arizona Bill Establishing Voluntary EE Goals Passes House, Stalls in Senate
[Updated October 7, 2009]
On January 26, a bill (HB 2337) was introduced in the Arizona State Legislature that would establish voluntary energy efficiency goals for residential and commercial construction, schools and state buildings, and authorizes state agencies and school districts to enter into energy performance contracts and renewable energy power service agreements and utilize the savings resulting from these contracts.
The bill sets voluntary statewide goals for energy efficiency in residential and commercial construction as follows:
- 15% of new buildings are on average more efficient than the 2006 IECC in 2012
- 30% of new buildings are on average more efficient than the 2006 IECC in 2016
- 50% of new buildings are on average more efficient than the 2006 IECC in 2020
It would also require cities, towns and counties to report to the Arizona Department of Commerce Energy Office (DOCEO) the total number of building permits issued and the percentage of those issued for energy efficient residential and commercial buildings, including the energy rating system value, beginning February 1, 2012.
The bill stipulates certain goals and policies of the state as:
- By July 1, 2015, all state agencies and school districts should use or purchase at least 10% of their energy from renewable sources or combined heat and power systems.
- All state agency buildings, constructed on or after July 1, 2010, should conform to LEED standards or an equivalent green building rating standard, unless the standard is not effective on a life cycle cost basis.
It also outlines goals for specific state agencies: reduce energy use by 20% per square-foot of floor area by July 1, 2015 and by 30% per square-foot of floor area by July 1, 2020, with July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002 as the baseline.
It also outlines goals for school districts to reduce district-wide average energy use from the 2001-2002 baseline, as follows:
- By 10% per square-foot of floor area by July 1, 2012
- by 15% per square-foot of floor area by July 1, 2016
- by 20% per square-foot of floor area by July 1, 2019
STATUS: HB 2337 was approved by the House 33-23 on June 22. The bill was never brought up for consideration before the Senate Committee on Community and Economic Development.
More information on HB 2337: Bill Home Page | Text (passed by House) | Bill Fact Sheet
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