Green Urbanism
California Assembly Passes Home Energy Efficiency Bill to Save Money, Reduce Carbon Emissions
First of its kind Bill targets energy audits for all existing buildings
Los Angeles, CA - June 4, 2009 – Yesterday the California State Assembly passed Assembly Bill (AB) 758, legislation that will make existing buildings more energy efficient and less expensive to operate. The bill, sponsored by Global Green USA and authored by Assembly Member Nancy Skinner (D- Berkeley), will require the California Energy Commission (CEC) to develop an energy efficiency program for all existing residential and commercial buildings.
“Energy use in buildings is the largest single global warming pollution source in the United States
– accounting for 48% of all greenhouse gas emissions nationally,” said Global Green policy director Mary Luevano. “More than three quarters of California homes are built to outdated energy standards so the existing building stock represents a huge opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency and save money for the average homeowner.”
AB 758 would require the California Energy Commission to establish a regulatory proceeding, by March 1, 2010, to develop and implement a comprehensive program to achieve energy savings in the existing residential and commercial building stock that falls significantly below current Title 24 building standards. The bill would also require the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC), by January 1, 2011, to authorize each electrical corporation to provide a targeted number of low- or no-cost energy efficiency audits each calendar year.
Retrofitting and weatherizing an existing building can significantly lower utility costs for residents. Lower energy consumption means a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and less stress on the power grid, reducing the vulnerability to the rolling blackouts Californians experienced in 2000.
AB 758’s next test will be in the California State Senate where it will likely be heard later this month.
About Global Green USA
Global Green USA is the only national environmental group headquartered in greater Los Angeles, and has offices in Washington D.C., New Orleans & New York. Global Green is the US affiliate of Green Cross International, founded by Mikhail Gorbachev in 1993. Global Green is a national leader in advocating for smart solutions to global warming, including green building for affordable housing, schools and communities, as well as advancing groundbreaking solar, green building and energy efficiency legislation in California, other states and at the national level. Global Green recently released its first annual Global Solar Report Card, which gives an evaluation of progress towards solar energy use within 16 countries around the world.
