California Gov. Jerry Brown recently signed AB 802 into law, which means the state’s building benchmarking program will be implemented.
Under this law, the benchmarking program will be expanded to cover large multifamily housing, making California the first state in the country with a benchmarking program spanning both building sectors. It will also give owners of residential and commercial buildings their total energy usage information.
This data will make it easier for owners to make decisions about energy efficiency and renewable investments to improve building performance. The bill also directs state agencies to double their efforts to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and businesses throughout the state.
That requirement, along with another that directs all electricity providers in the state to get at least 50% of their supply of electricity from renewable resources like wind and solar by no later than 2030, is predicted to cut carbon pollution in the power sector close to 40% below 2020 forecast levels.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Nov 26, 2019
Updated ASHRAE standards focused on ventilation design, air quality in residential applications
Standard 62.1 and 62.2 updates provide new tables of ventilation rates per unit area.
Codes and Standards | Nov 25, 2019
Real estate professionals say coworking is not a flash in the pan
More than 60% say coworking space is in their portfolios.
Codes and Standards | Nov 22, 2019
Utility’s proposal threatens California’s rooftop solar mandate
Would allow customers to use solar farms instead of installing their own PVs.
Codes and Standards | Nov 21, 2019
Number of LEED commercial building projects surpasses 100,000
More than 2.6 million sf of space being certified each day.
Codes and Standards | Nov 19, 2019
Most U.S. voters support licensing standards for architects
NCARB survey shows strong support for architecture as a licensed profession.
Codes and Standards | Nov 18, 2019
Cambridge, Mass., teams up with utility on energy retrofit program
Buildings large than 25,000 sf targeted in initiative to further carbon neutrality goal.
Codes and Standards | Nov 14, 2019
Resistance to Toronto’s ‘smart city’ reveals pitfalls of such ambitious projects
Concerns over data privacy, governance, feasibility prompt criticism.
Codes and Standards | Nov 13, 2019
Heat pumps, strategic energy management could be next major focuses for efficiency
After lighting, efficiency experts look to new opportunities to boost energy efficiency.
Codes and Standards | Nov 12, 2019
National Infrastructure Performance Council to address ‘national security crisis’
Coalition wants to double annual level of infrastructure investment.
Codes and Standards | Nov 11, 2019
Major cities are adopting new building performance standards
Initiatives can include multiple standards.