SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6823

BYSenators Benitz, Williams and Bluechel

Studying residential energy efficiency.

Senate Committee on Energy & Utilities

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 1, 1990; February 2, 1990

Majority Report:     That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6823 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

     Signed by Senators Benitz, Chairman; Bluechel, Vice Chairman; Nelson, Owen, Patrick, Stratton, Sutherland, Williams.

Senate Staff:David Monthie (786-7198)

                February 2, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES, FEBRUARY 2, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Since the oil embargo of the early 1970's, more attention has been paid to energy consumption, particularly to inefficient consumption.  This has led at the national level to standards for automobile efficiency (gas mileage) and electric appliance efficiency.  This effort has produced labeling systems on such items as motor vehicles and refrigerators that enable consumers to compare data for different models of the same item and make buying decisions based on efficiency and cost.

Under the current State Energy Code, new residential construction must meet minimum standards of energy efficiency.  In the future, increasingly strict minimum standards will produce more energy efficient housing.  For a consumer of residential housing, there is currently no commonly-used or uniform rating system for energy efficiency that would permit such a consumer to compare one unit of housing to another, or to estimate annual energy costs.

SUMMARY:

The Washington State Energy Office is directed to provide a report to the Legislature by September 1, 1990, on the possibility of developing a system for rating the energy efficiency of new residential construction.  By January 1, 1991, the office is directed to implement a pilot project for such a system with cooperating local governments and utilities, and report to the Legislature on the results by December 1, 1991.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The ratings system study is expanded to include existing residential construction.  The study is to address cost effectiveness of locally-adopted energy conservation codes as compared with state standards.  The Energy Office is to consult with lenders in its study.  The requirement to implement a pilot project is deleted.  The due date for the report is December 31, 1990.  The appropriation is reduced from $20,000 to $10,000.  Other technical changes are made.

Appropriation:  $10,000

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    requested January 26, 1990

Senate Committee - Testified:   Amy Bell, WSEO (pro)