ESL SB5 Responsibilities
With Senate Bill 5, the Laboratory has numerous responsibilities. These include:
Reporting energy savings to the Texas Public Utility Commission (TPUC) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for the purpose of assisting Texas to obtain emissions reduction credits in the State Implementation Plan (SIP) with the US EPA.
Assisting communities evaluate and quantify above code amendments to the International Residential Code and the International Energy Conservation Code, which now define the minimum energy efficiency standards for the State of Texas.
Training builders, code inspectors and officials, manufacturers, homeowners and other interested groups on how to cost effectively implement the energy efficiency standards of the codes.
Developing a self-certification form for builders outside of municipalities.
Evaluation of Home Energy Rating Software (HERS) packages. The Laboratory will evaluate HERS offerings and assist in defining changes required for the State of Texas. |
|
|
The Texas Senate Bill 5, enacted in 2001 establishes the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) - 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 - Sec. 388.001. Legislative Findings. Policy purpose: Adopts building energy code to:
- Reduce air pollutant emissions affecting health
- Moderate future peak electric power demand, assuring reliability
- Controlling energy costs for residents and business in the state
- Sec. 388.002. Definitions
- Sec. 388.003. Adoption Of Building Energy Efficiency Performance Standards
- Sec. 388.004. Enforcement Of Energy Standards Outside Of Municipality
- Sec. 388.007. Distribution Of Information And Technical Assistance
- Sec. 388.008. Development Of Home Energy Ratings
- Sec. 388.005. Energy Efficiency Programs In Certain Political Subdivisions
- Sec. 388.006. State Energy Conservation Office Evaluation
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
- Laboratory shall submit an annual report to TNRCC quantifying energy savings
Enforcement of Energy Standards Outside of Municipality. For construction outside of the local jurisdiction of a 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
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 annually to report plans/progress to the State Energy Conservation Office
- Requires the State Energy Conservation Office to provide assistance and information to political subdivisions
State Energy Conservation Office Evaluation - Requires the State Energy Conservation Office annually to provide the TCEQ with an evaluation of the effectiveness of state and political subdivision energy efficiency programs
Distribution Of Information And Technical Assistance - Requires the Laboratory to make available to builders, designers, engineers, and architects code implementation materials
- 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
Development Of Home Energy Ratings - Requires the Laboratory to develop a standardized report format to be used by providers of home energy ratings
- The 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
|
 The Texas Senate Bill 5, enacted in 2001, establishes the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP):
- 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
Excessive ground-level ozone is a threat to public health.
High accumulations of ozone in the lower atmosphere near ground level can be harmful to people, animals, crops and other materials. In fact, health specialists say that ground level ozone can cause serious lung damage and difficulty in breathing, especially among children, older adults and people with respiratory problems. Ground-level ozone can also cause shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, headaches, nausea and eye irritation.
Excessive ground-level ozone is also a threat to our economy.
Federal Clean Air Act amendments of 1990 outline severe restrictions that may be imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on regions which fail to comply with certain specific air quality standards. These restrictions include limits on the growth of businesses in the region, and in some cases, non-compliance may also result in the loss of federal highway funds.
Obtaining Clean Air Emissions Reductions
Obtaining clean air emissions reductions credits for reduced electrical energy use is one of the most cost effective, non-intrusive ways to meet EPA mandates for the Clean Air Act. ESL is working closely with the several state entities to assist local governments and private industry to improve air quality and save money by more efficiently using electricity and fossil fuels.
ESL's Role within Senate Bill 5
With the passage of the Texas Senate Bill 5, the Energy Systems Laboratory was assigned an important role in the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) including the following responsibilities.
- To report energy savings to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for the purpose of assisting Texas to obtain emissions reduction credits in the State Implementation Plan (SIP) with the US EPA.
- To assist communities in evaluating code amendments to the International Residential Code (IRC) and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) which now define the minimum energy efficiency standards for the State of Texas.
- To train builders, code inspectors and officials, manufacturers, homeowners and other interested groups on how to cost effectively implement the energy efficiency standards of the codes.
- To develop a self-certification form for builders outside of municipalities.
- To to develop a standardized report format to be used by providers of home energy ratings that will provide 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.
|
- eCalc Emissions & Energy Calculator
The Senate Bill Emissions & Energy developed by the Energy Systems Lab.
- International Code Compliance Calculator (ICCC)
International Code Compliance Calculator - Calculates "Above Code" energy compliance for NCTCOG and Texas.
- The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
The environmental agency for the state. The TCEQ has approximately 3,000 employees, 16 regional offices, and a $463.9 million annual appropriation budget for the 2005 fiscal year (including both baseline and contingency appropriations). Most of the budget is funded by program fees ($392.2 million or 84 percent). Federal funds provide $40.3 million, or 9 percent; state general revenue, including earned federal funds, provides $26.4 million, or 6 percent; and other sources provide the remaining $5 million, or 1 percent.
- Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC)
Mission: The Public Utility Commission of Texas is to protect customers, foster competition, and promote high quality infrastructure.
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Energy Strategic Goal: To protect our national and economic security by promoting a diverse supply and delivery of reliable, affordable, and environmentally sound energy.
- Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO)
Mission: State Energy Conservation Office is to maximize energy efficiency while protecting the environment. SECO administers and delivers a variety of energy efficiency and renewable programs which significantly impact energy cost and consumption in the institutional, industrial, transportation and residential sectors.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA protects human health and the environment through the regulatory process and voluntary programs such as Energy Star and Commuter Choice. Under the Clean Air Act, EPA sets limits on how much of a pollutant is allowed in the air anywhere in the United States. Although national air quality has improved over the last 20 years, many challenges remain in protecting public health and the environment. EPA's goal is to have clean air to breathe for this generation and those to follow.
- International Code Council (ICC)
Mission: Providing the highest quality codes, standards, products, and services for all concerned with the safety and performance of the built environment. The International Code Council (ICC) was established in 1994 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing a single set of comprehensive and coordinated national model construction codes. The founders of the ICC are Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Inc. (BOCA), International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO), and Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc. (SBCCI).
- American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning, Engineers (ASHRAE)
Mission: ASHRAE will advance the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and related human factors to serve the evolving needs of the public and ASHRAE members.
- North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG)
The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is a voluntary association of, by and for local governments, and was established to assist local governments in planning for common needs, cooperating for mutual benefit, and coordinating for sound regional development. NCTCOG's purpose is to strengthen both the individual and collective power of local governments and to help them recognize regional opportunities, eliminate unnecessary duplication, and make joint decisions.
- Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG)
Mission: To enhance the lives of all residents of the Alamo Region by working in mutual respect and partnership with all levels of government, the business sector, and the community at large to meet regional challenges and to create regional strengths.
|
 Click here to visit the Weather Data website. |
|
Senate Bill 5
