California Senate Committee Passes Energy Efficiency Bill to Save Money & Reduce Carbon Emissions

First of its kind Bill targets energy audits for all existing buildings

**Legislative Update**

Los Angeles, CA - July 7, 2009 – Today the California State Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee (EU&C) 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 a comprehensive 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  “More than three quarters of California homes are built to outdated energy standards so the existing building stock represents a huge opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency and save money for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 likely be in the California State Senate Appropriations Committee.