§ 22-3-2006 — Program to manage energy usage of public agencies

(a) The Arkansas Energy Office of the Division of Environmental Quality shall: (1) Develop an energy program to manage energy, water, and other utility uses for public agencies that will reduce total aggregate energy consumption per gross square foot for all existing applicable public agency buildings if the savings can be justified by a life-cycle cost analysis; (2) Update this program annually; and (3) Recommend public agency energy consumption reduction goals every five (5) years. (b) To implement its program, the office shall to the extent funds are available and appropriated: (1) Develop and implement policies, procedures, and standards to ensure that a public agency's purchasing practices: (A) Improve the efficiency of energy, water, and other utility uses; and (B) Consider the cost of the product over its economic life; (2) Adopt and implement building energy design guidelines for public agencies that include without limitation: (A) Energy-use goals and standards; (B) Economic assumptions for life-cycle cost analysis; and (C) Other criteria for building systems and technologies; (3) Identify and recommend energy conservation maintenance and operating procedures that: (A) Are designed to reduce energy consumption within the public facility; and (B) Require no significant expenditure of funds; (4) Require the maximum interchangeability and compatibility of equipment components when energy management equipment is proposed for any facility of a public agency; and (5) Offer substantial recognition to a public agency that acts in a manner that furthers the program and goals under this section. (c) The office may adopt architectural and engineering standards to implement this section. (d) A public agency shall: (1) Submit annually by October 31 to the office a written report of the public agency's utility consumption and costs by fuel to which the office shall respond with a recommendation annually by June 30; (2) Complete construction and renovation of a facility in a manner that: (A) Furthers the program and goals under this section; and (B) Ensures the use of life-cycle cost analyses and practices to conserve energy, water, and other utilities; and (3) Comply with the office's program under subdivision (b)(1) of this section, to the extent funds are available and appropriated.

Legislative History

Amended by Act 2019, No. 674,§ 7, eff. 7/24/2019. Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 3231, eff. 7/1/2019. Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 3230, eff. 7/1/2019. Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 3229, eff. 7/1/2019. Amended by Act 2017, No. 271,§ 19, eff. 8/1/2017. Amended by Act 2017, No. 271,§ 18, eff. 8/1/2017. Amended by Act 2017, No. 271,§ 17, eff. 8/1/2017. Acts 2009, No. 1494, § 1; 2011, No. 803, §§ 5, 6.