Energy Systems Laboratory

History

2015

Through the 83rd and 84th Legislatures (2013 and 2015, respectively), the Laboratory’s responsibilities under TERP were kept the same as previous years.

2011

Following the 82nd Legislature, the Laboratory’s responsibilities under TERP increased as new legislatively allocated energy efficiency initiatives were introduced.

2009

The 81st Legislature extended the data of the TERP to 2019 and required the TCEQ to contract with Laboratory to compute emissions reduction from wind and other renewable energy resources for the SIP.

2007

Through SB 12 and HB 3693 during the 80th Legislature, amended Senate Bill 5 to enhance its effectiveness by adding the following additional energy efficiency initiatives:

  • Requires the Laboratory to provide written recommendations to the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) about whether or not the energy efficiency provisions of latest published edition of the International Residential Code (IRC) or the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) are equivalent to or better than the energy efficiency and air quality achievable under the editions adopted under the 2001 IRC/IECC. The Laboratory shall make its recommendations no later than six months after publication of new editions at the end of each three-year code development cycle of the International Residential Code and the International Energy Conservation Code
  • Requires the Laboratory to consider comments made by persons who have an interest in the adoption of the energy codes in the recommendations made to the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO)
  • Requires the Laboratory to develop a standardized report format to be used by providers of home energy ratings, including different report formats for rating newly constructed residences from those for existing residences. The form must be designed to give potential buyers information on a structure’s energy performance, including: insulation, types of windows, heating and cooling equipment, water heating equipment, additional energy conserving features (if any), results of performance measurements of building tightness and forced air distribution, and an overall rating of probable energy efficiency relative to the minimum requirements of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or the energy efficiency chapter of the International Residential Code (IRC), as appropriate
  • Encourages the Laboratory to cooperate with an industry organization or trade association to: develop guidelines for home energy ratings: provide training for individuals performing home energy ratings and providers of home energy ratings, and provide a registry of completed ratings for newly constructed residences and residential improvement projects for the purpose of computing the energy savings and emissions reduction benefits of the home energy ratings program
  • Requires the Laboratory to include information on the benefits attained from this program in an annual report to the commission (TCEQ)

2005

In the 79th Legislature, through SB 20, HB 2481 and HB 2129, amended Senate Bill 5 to enhance its effectiveness by adding the following additional energy efficiency initiatives:

  • Requires 5,880 MW of generating capacity from renewable energy technologies by 2015
  • Includes 500 MW from non-wind renewables
  • Requires the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) to establish a target of 10,000 megawatts of installed renewable capacity by 2025
  • Requires the TCEQ to develop methodology for computing emissions reduction from renewable energy initiatives and the associated credits
  • Requires the Laboratory to assist the TCEQ in quantifying emissions reduction credits from energy efficiency and renewable energy programs
  • Requires the Texas Environmental Research Consortium (TERC) to contract with the Laboratory to develop and annually calculate creditable emissions reduction from wind and other renewable energy resources for the state’s SIP
  • Requires the Laboratory to develop at least three alternative methods for achieving a 15 % greater potential energy savings in residential, commercial and industrial construction

2003

Through HB 1365 and HB 3235 during the 78th Legislature, amended TERP to enhance its effectiveness with additional energy efficiency initiatives:

  • Requires TCEQ to conduct outreach to non-attainment and near-non-attainment counties on the benefits of implementing energy efficiency measures as a way to meet the air quality goals under the federal Clean Air Act
  • Requires TCEQ to develop a methodology for computing emissions reduction from energy efficiency initiatives
  • Authorizes a voluntary Energy-Efficient Building Program at the General Land Office (GLO), in consultation with the Laboratory, for the accreditation of buildings that exceed the state energy code requirements by 15% or more
  • Authorizes municipalities to adopt an optional, alternate energy code compliance mechanism through the use of accredited energy efficiency programs determined to be code-compliant by the Laboratory, as well as the US EPA’s Energy Star New Homes program
  • Requires the Laboratory to develop and administer a statewide training program for municipal building inspectors seeking to become code-certified inspectors for enforcement of energy codes

2001

The 77th Legislature passed Senate Bill 5 (SB5) and the TERP legislation.

  • A diesel emissions reduction incentive program
  • A motor vehicle purchase or lease incentive program
  • A new technology research and development program
  • An energy efficiency grant program
  • Building energy performance standards

Ch. 386 – Texas Emissions Reduction Plan

Section 386.205 – Evaluation Of State Energy Efficiency Programs

The Laboratory will assist the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to provide an annual report that quantifies by county, the reductions of energy demand, peak loads, and associated emissions of air contaminants achieved from the programs implemented under this subchapter and from those implemented under Section 39.905, Utilities Code. See Section 39.905, Chapter 386

Ch. 388. Texas Building Energy Performance Standards (TBEPS)

Sec. 388.001 – Legislative Findings

  • Adopt building energy code to reduce air pollutant emissions affecting health
  • Moderate future peak electric power demand assuring reliability
  • Control energy costs for residents and business in the state.

Sec. 388.003 – Adoption Of Building Energy Efficiency Performance Standards

  • Energy efficiency chapter of the International Residential Code, as it existed on May 1, 2001, is adopted as the energy code in this state for single-family residential construction
  • International Energy Conservation Code (5-1-01) Adopted for all other residential, commercial and industrial construction
  • Prohibits local amendments from resulting in less stringent requirements in non-attainment areas and in affected counties
  • The Laboratory shall determine the relative impact of proposed local amendments, including climate zone modifications
  • The Laboratory shall submit an annual report to TNRCC quantifying energy savings

Sec. 388.004 – Enforcement Of Energy Standards Outside Of Municipality

  • A building certified by an accredited energy efficiency program shall be considered in compliance
  • A building with inspections from private code-certified inspectors using the energy efficiency chapter of the International Residential Code or International Energy Conservation Code shall be considered in compliance
  • A builder who does not have access to either of the above methods shall certify compliance using a form provided by the laboratory, enumerating the code-compliance features of the building

Sec. 388.007 – Distribution Of Information And Technical Assistance

  • Requires the Laboratory to make available code implementation materials to builders, designers, engineers, and architects
  • Authorizes simplified materials to be designed for projects in which a design professional is not involved
  • Authorizes the Laboratory to provide local jurisdictions with technical assistance concerning implementation and enforcement

Sec. 388.008 – Development Of Home Energy Ratings

  • Requires the Laboratory to develop a standardized report form to be used by providers of home energy ratings
  • The report form will give potential buyers information on a structure’s energy performance
  • Requires the Laboratory to establish a public information program to inform homeowners, sellers, buyers, and others regarding home energy ratings
  • Requires the home energy ratings program to be implemented by September 1, 2002

Sec. 388.005 – Energy Efficiency Programs In Certain Political Subdivisions

  • Requires each political subdivision to establish a goal to reduce the electric consumption by the political subdivision by five percent each year for five years, beginning January 1, 2002
  • Requires a political subdivision to report plans/progress to the State Energy Conservation Office on an annual basis
  • Requires the State Energy Conservation Office to provide assistance and information to political subdivisions

Sec. 388.006 – State Energy Conservation Office Evaluation

  • Requires the State Energy Conservation Office annually to provide the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) with an evaluation of the effectiveness of state and political subdivision energy efficiency programs