Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Technology & Economic Development Committee |
HB 2931
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Increasing energy efficiency.
Sponsors: Representatives Doglio, Fey, Tarleton, Jinkins and Slatter.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/30/18
Staff: Nikkole Hughes (786-7156).
Background:
State Energy Code.
The State Energy Code is part of the State Building Code, which sets the minimum construction requirements for buildings in the state. The State Energy Code provides a minimum level of energy efficiency for residential and nonresidential buildings, but allows flexibility in building design, construction, and heating equipment efficiencies. The State Building Code Council (Council) maintains the State Energy Code. Unless otherwise amended by rule, the State Energy Code must reflect the 2006 edition.
The State Energy Code for residential structures preempts the residential energy code of each city, town, and county in Washington, unless the local jurisdiction's residential energy code exceeds the requirements of the Code and was adopted before March 1, 1990.
International Energy Conservation Code.
The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) is published by the International Code Council, Inc., a nonprofit organization that develops comprehensive and coordinated national model construction codes. The IECC was last updated in 2015 and is reviewed and amended every 3 years. The 2015 IECC contains separate provisions for residential and nonresidential buildings.
Adoption and Amendment Requirements for the State Energy Code.
The State Energy Code was last amended in 2016, when the Council adopted the 2015 IECC for both residential and nonresidential buildings as the State Energy Code.
The Council reviews, updates, and adopts new model state building codes every three years. The Council must adopt State Energy Codes that require buildings constructed from 2013 through 2031 to move incrementally toward a 70 percent reduction in energy use by 2031. The State Energy Code must consider regional climatic conditions. The Council may amend the State Energy Code by rule if the amendments increase energy efficiency in the affected buildings.
Summary of Bill:
Beginning with the 2018 edition, the State Energy Code for residential structures must provide three options:
a lower efficiency option that conforms with the requirement to move incrementally toward a 70 percent reduction in energy use by 2031;
an intermediate efficiency option that results in dwelling units that use 10 percent less energy annually than those built in accordance with the lower efficiency option; and
a high efficiency option that results in dwelling units that use 20 percent less energy annually than those built in accordance with the lower efficiency option.
The high efficiency option must be the default option. Cities, towns, and counties are permitted to select the intermediate efficiency option or the lower efficiency option prior to the effective date of each new edition of the State Energy Code.
The provision exempting certain local residential energy codes from preemption by the State Energy Code is removed.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 29, 2018.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.