Bill > AB489

This bill amends Section 25943 of the Public Resources Code to update provisions related to energy conservation in California's existing buildings. The core of the bill focuses on the California Energy Commission's (CEC) responsibility to develop and implement a comprehensive program aimed at achieving greater energy savings in both residential and nonresidential buildings that are significantly less energy-efficient than current standards. This program is intended to include a variety of strategies such as energy assessments, building benchmarking, energy ratings, cost-effective efficiency improvements, financing options, public education, and workforce training. The CEC is required to coordinate with various state agencies, utilities, and stakeholders, and hold public hearings to gather input. When developing program requirements, the CEC must consider factors like energy and cost savings, greenhouse gas reductions, climatic zones, public education methods, and how to effectively report energy assessment results and improvement options to building owners, including details on payback periods, financing, and incentives. The program aims to minimize costs, avoid negatively impacting the housing market or businesses, and ensure the availability of qualified professionals for assessments and improvements. The bill also clarifies that home energy rating or assessment services must be certified by the CEC. Importantly, the bill removes a provision that required the CEC to fund activities from the Federal Trust Fund, specifically mentioning the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and instead adds a definition for "energy assessment" as a determination of an energy user's consumption, relative efficiency, and opportunities for improvement.