summary
Introduced
05/21/2015
05/21/2015
In Committee
08/18/2015
08/18/2015
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/03/2017
01/03/2017
Introduced Session
114th Congress
Bill Summary
Smart Building Acceleration Act Directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to: (1) conduct a survey of privately owned smart buildings throughout the nation, select at least one building each from an appropriate range of building sizes and types, and evaluate the costs and benefits of such buildings using the guidelines of the Federal Energy Management Program relating to whole-building evaluation, measurement, and verification; and (2) establish a program to establish one or more smart buildings under the jurisdiction of the General Services Administration and the Departments of Defense, Energy, and Veterans Affairs to demonstrate and evaluate the costs and benefits of smart buildings. Requires such evaluations to include an identification of which advanced building technologies are most cost-effective and show the most promise for increasing building energy savings, increasing service performance to building occupants, and reducing environmental impacts. Defines a "smart building" to mean a building with an energy system that: is flexible and automated; has extensive operational monitoring and communication connectivity, allowing remote monitoring and analysis of all building functions; is integrated with the overall building operations for control of energy generation, consumption, and storage; and communicates with utilities and other third party commercial entities. Directs DOE: (1) as part of DOE's Better Building Challenge, to develop a smart building accelerator in consultation with major private sector property owners to demonstrate innovative policies and approaches that will accelerate the transition to smart buildings; and (2) to conduct research and development to address key barriers to the integration of advanced building technologies and to accelerate the transition to smart buildings.
AI Summary
This bill, the Smart Building Acceleration Act, directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to take several steps to promote the adoption of "smart buildings," which are defined as buildings with automated, flexible energy systems that are extensively monitored, connected, integrated with overall operations, and can communicate with utilities and other entities. The DOE will first survey privately owned smart buildings nationwide and evaluate their costs and benefits, identifying which advanced technologies are most effective for saving energy, improving occupant services, and reducing environmental impact. Concurrently, the DOE will establish a program to create and evaluate smart buildings within federal agencies like the Departments of Defense, Energy, Veterans Affairs, and the General Services Administration, also assessing the costs, benefits, and most promising technologies. Furthermore, as part of its Better Building Challenge, the DOE will develop an initiative with private sector owners to accelerate the transition to smart buildings and will conduct research and development to overcome barriers to integrating advanced building technologies. Finally, the DOE is required to submit a report to Congress detailing its findings and recommendations within 18 months of the act's enactment.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry, Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Research and Technology. (on 08/18/2015)
Official Document
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