Separate spaces with high-performance energy efficiency measures

Source Credit

(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) High-performance energy efficiency measure
The term "high-performance energy efficiency measure" means a technology, product, or practice that will result in substantial operational cost savings by reducing energy consumption and utility costs.
(2) Separate spaces
The term "separate spaces" means areas within a commercial building that are leased or otherwise occupied by a tenant or other occupant for a period of time pursuant to the terms of a written agreement.
(b) Study
(1) In general
Not later than 1 year after April 30, 2015, the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, shall complete a study on the feasibility of—
(A) significantly improving energy efficiency in commercial buildings through the design and construction, by owners and tenants, of separate spaces with high-performance energy efficiency measures; and
(B) encouraging owners and tenants to implement high-performance energy efficiency measures in separate spaces.
(2) Scope
The study shall, at a minimum, include—
(A) descriptions of—
(i) high-performance energy efficiency measures that should be considered as part of the initial design and construction of separate spaces;
(ii) processes that owners, tenants, architects, and engineers may replicate when designing and constructing separate spaces with high-performance energy efficiency measures;
(iii) policies and best practices to achieve reductions in energy intensities for lighting, plug loads, heating, cooling, cooking, laundry, and other systems to satisfy the needs of the commercial building tenant;
(iv) return on investment and payback analyses of the incremental cost and projected energy savings of the proposed set of high-performance energy efficiency measures, including consideration of available incentives;
(v) models and simulation methods that predict the quantity of energy used by separate spaces with high-performance energy efficiency measures and that compare that predicted quantity to the quantity of energy used by separate spaces without high-performance energy efficiency measures but that otherwise comply with applicable building code requirements;
(vi) measurement and verification platforms demonstrating actual energy use of high-performance energy efficiency measures installed in separate spaces, and whether such measures generate the savings intended in the initial design and construction of the separate spaces;
(vii) best practices that encourage an integrated approach to designing and constructing separate spaces to perform at optimum energy efficiency in conjunction with the central systems of a commercial building; and
(viii) any impact on employment resulting from the design and construction of separate spaces with high-performance energy efficiency measures; and
(B) case studies reporting economic and energy savings returns in the design and construction of separate spaces with high-performance energy efficiency measures.
(3) Public participation
Not later than 90 days after April 30, 2015, the Secretary shall publish a notice in the Federal Register requesting public comments regarding effective methods, measures, and practices for the design and construction of separate spaces with high-performance energy efficiency measures.
(4) Publication
The Secretary shall publish the study on the website of the Department of Energy.

History

(Pub. L. 110–140, title IV, §424, as added Pub. L. 114–11, title I, §103(a), Apr. 30, 2015, 129 Stat. 183.)