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Southwest Energy Efficiency Project Southwest Energy Efficiency Project

2010 Legislative Activity

Utah

SWEEP supports the following bills that have been introduced in the 2010 General Session of the Utah State Legislature, in session January 25 - March 11, 2010.


HB 045 - State Construction Code Adoption - PASSED

Sponsored by Representative Michael T. Morley (R - District 66); Senator J. Stuart Adams (R - District 22)

Bill Summary

This bill formally adopts updated building codes for Utah, including adoption of the updated energy conservation code for commercial buildings (2009 IECC or ASHRAE 90.1-07), but does not adopt the 2009 IECC for new homes. Residential buildings are exempted from the update and will maintain the current energy code (2006 IECC). NOTE: Federal studies project a 15% energy savings for new homes if the 2009 IECC were adopted for residential buildings. A six-month review process is currently underway to further evaluate the incremental costs, cost-savings, and energy-savings associated with the adoption of the 2009 IECC for residential buildings.

Bill Activity

  • 1/26/10 - The House Business and Labor Committee amended the bill with favorable recommendation.
  • 1/25/10 - Introduced in the House and referred to the House Business and Labor Committee
  • 2/4/10 - Received a favorable recommendation from the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee.
  • 2/2/10 - Introduced in the Senate, and referred to the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee.
  • 1/29/10 - Passed the House on a vote of 67-2-6.
  • 2/18/10 - Passed out of Senate on a 28-0-1 vote

Resources, Media and Additional Information


HB 116 - Political Subdivision Facility Energy Efficiency - PASSED

Sponsored by Representative Fred Hunsaker (R - District 4)

Bill Summary

This bill clarifies current ambiguity about the use of energy savings agreements by Utah political subdivisions, and provides guidance to political subdivisions about energy savings agreements. The bill authorizes a political subdivision to enter into an energy savings agreement which permits the political subdivision to:
• Develop and administer a facility energy efficiency program;
• Analyze energy consumption; and
• Designate a staff member who is responsible for the facility energy efficiency.

Bill Activity

  • 2/3/10 - Referred to the House Government Operations Committee
  • 1/29/10 - Introduced in the House, and referred to
  • 2/18/10 - Passed out of the House on a 74-0-1 vote.
  • 2/11/10 - Received a favorable recommendation from the House Government Operations Committee.
  • 2/19/10 - Introduced in the Senate, referred to the Senate Committee on Government Operations and Political Subdivisions.
  • 2/25/10 - Received favorable recommendation from the Senate Committee on Government Operations and Political Subdivisions.
  • 3/4/10 - Passed out of the Senate on 26-0-3 vote.

Resources, Media and Additional Information


HB 318 - Revolving Loan Fund for Certain Energy Efficient Projects Amendments - PASSED

Sponsored by Representative Roger Barrus (R - District 18)

Bill Summary

This bill expands a revolving loan fund known as the Energy Efficiency Fund to include political subdivisions. It allows the Energy Efficiency Fund to be used for energy efficiency projects in buildings owned by political subdivisions, including school districts; permits the Board of the Utah Geologic Survey to make rules establishing eligibility and prioritization criteria for disbursing monies from the fund; grants the board other powers and directions to make loans from the fund; and makes technical changes.

Bill Activity

  • 2/17/10 - Referred to House Committee on Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
  • 2/16/10 - Introduced in the House
  • 2/19/10 - Passed out of committee with Favorable Recommendation
  • 2/25/10 - Passed out of the House on a 71-0-4 vote.
  • 2/25/10 - Introduced in the Senate, referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation and Public Community and Economic Development.
  • 3/9/10 - Passed out of Senate on a 26-0-3 vote.

Resources, Media and Additional Information


HB 334 - Mechanical Contractor Licensing Provisions - DID NOT PASS

Sponsored by Representative Larry Wiley (D - District 31)

Bill Summary

This bill modifies provisions of the Utah Construction Trades Licensing Act relating to the licensing of heating, venting, and air conditioning mechanical technicians, including:

  • Creates a licensing requirement for individual residential HVAC Air System Technicians (modeled on existing licensing requirements for Utah electricians and plumbers)
  • Requires HVAC Air System Technicians to participate in industry-standard training, apprenticeship, and ongoing continuing education
  • Temporarily expand the scope of the Plumbers Licensing Board to oversee licensing requirements

Correctly designed and installed HVAC systems operate more efficiently – saving energy and money, improve comfort, and reduce excess demand on our utility infrastructure. Poorly designed and installed HVAC systems can use 65% more electricity than those that are properly sized using code-required energy calculations.

Bill Activity

  • 2/24/10 - Fiscal note.
  • 2/22/10 - Introduced in the House
  • 3/11/10 - Moved to the House file for Defeated Bills

Resources, Media and Additional Information


SB 047 - Electrical Utility Amendments - Efficiency and Conservation Tariff - DID NOT PASS

Sponsored by Senator Kevin Van Tassel (R - District 26)

Bill Summary

This bill:

  • requires the Public Service Commission (PSC) to approve a tariff proposed by an electrical utility for demand side management or energy efficiency programs;
  • requires the PSC to approve a tariff for a cost-effective direct loan control program;
  • defines "direct load control program";
  • removes a requirement that an electrical utility seek and receive input from the Office of Consumer Services before submitting a request for an electric energy efficiency or conservation tariff;
  • removes provisions requiring the PSC to hold a hearing on an electric energy efficiency or conservation tariff if requested by the electrical corporation, a customer of the electrical corporation, or another interested party; and
  • makes technical changes.

Bill Activity

  • 1/26/10 - Introduced in the Senate
  • 1/28/10 - Referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation, Public Utilities and Technology
  • 2/22/10 - Held in Senate Committee
  • 3/2/10 - Senate Committe recommended a substitute.
  • 1/28/10 - Fiscal note.

Resources, Media and Additional Information


SB 194 - Assessment Area Act Revisions - DID NOT PASS

Sponsored by Senator Wayne Niederhauser (R - District 9); Representative Gage Froerer (R - District 8)

Bill Summary

This bill enables local entities in Utah (such as counties, cities, towns, local districts or special service districts) to voluntarily issue bonds for the purpose of financing property assessed loans to interested residents and businesses to make voluntary energy improvements to their property, such as efficient windows, insulation, efficient HVAC systems, and/or renewable energy systems. This bill expands the opportunities within the existing authority of local entities to issue bonds for the purpose of public improvement projects.

Bill Activity

  • 2/22/10 - Referred to Senate Committee on Government Operations and Political Subdivisions
  • 2/19/10 - Introduced in the Senate
  • 2/23/10 - Passed out of Senate Committee with Favorable Recommendation
  • 3/11/10 - Moved to the Senate Rules Committee file for defeated bills.
  • 2/24/10 - Fiscal note

Resources, Media and Additional Information

2010 Legislative Activity

Weekly updates on specific legislation related to energy efficiency in each state: