OLR Bill Analysis

sHB 6284

AN ACT CONCERNING ADOPTION OF A MODEL ENERGY CODE AND GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS.

SUMMARY:

This bill delays the date when “green building” standards take effect and narrows their scope. It requires the state building inspector and Codes and Standards Committee to establish the threshold size for buildings subject to the standards. Under current law, the standards apply to certain new construction costing $ 5 million or more and renovations costing $ 2 million or more.

The bill also delays, from on and after January 1, 2008 to on and after January 1, 2010, the date by which the inspector and committee must revise the State Building Code with regard to energy efficiency standards. The bill requires the inspector and the committee to adopt a model energy code to accomplish this. Under current law, the revisions must meet the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Standard 90. 1 for new construction. The bill allows the revision to exceed this standard.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage

GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS

Current law requires the inspector and committee to amend the State Building Code to require (1) buildings costing $ 5 million or more and built after January 1, 2009 and (2) renovations started after January 1, 2010 and costing $ 2 million or more to meet green building standards. The standards are (1) a silver rating under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system for new commercial construction and major renovation projects, (2) a two-globe rating under the Green Globes USA design program, or (3) an equivalent standard. Under LEED and Green Globes, a project's rating is based on the number of points it receives. Buildings can receive points for a wide range of characteristics, including energy efficiency, use of renewable energy, water conservation, indoor air quality, reuse of existing buildings and building materials, and environmentally sensitive site design. Under both systems, current law requires the building to achieve the second lowest rating on a four-point scale. The requirements apply to private and public sector buildings, other than residential buildings with up to four units.

The bill instead requires the building inspector and committee, in consultation with the public safety commissioner, on and after July 1, 2010 to revise the code with regard to green building standards. Specifically, it requires them to amend the code to require certain buildings that qualify as new construction or major alteration of a residential or nonresidential building to meet or exceed optimum building construction standards for the thermal envelope or mechanical systems. The provisions must at least address indoor air quality, water conservation, and the building's lighting and electrical systems. They must reference nationally accepted green building rating systems, which under the bill, include the National Green Building Standard, as established by the National Association of Home Builders; as well as LEED and Green Globes; or an equivalent rating system approved by the state building inspector and committee.

The bill requires that the revision include a method for demonstrating compliance at the time of application for a building permit or certificate of occupancy. These can include, among other things, private third party certification or verification of compliance with the relevant portions of the rating systems.

The bill eliminates a requirement that the inspector and the committee waive the current requirements if the Institute for Sustainable Energy finds that the cost of compliance significantly outweighs the benefits.

COMMITTEE ACTION

Public Safety and Security Committee

Joint Favorable Substitute