Improved Data and Procedures Needed for Development and Implementation of Building Energy Performance Standards
Highlights
The New Buildings Act of 1976 requires the development of building energy performance standards to set limits on the total amount of energy buildings may be designed to use. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) originally had the responsibility for this program; however, the responsibility to develop and promulgate the standards was transferred to the Department of Energy (DOE), leaving the implementation responsibility with HUD. An examination was made of: (1) what still needs to be done before sound standards can be issued; (2) the need to transfer implementation responsibility for the standards from HUD to DOE, and (3) the inappropriateness of the proposed sanction for noncompliance in view of the large decrease in expected energy savings.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Congress should transfer implementation and enforcement responsibility from HUD to DOE. |
Closed
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Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information. |
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Energy | The Secretary of Energy should base estimates of energy savings on current construction practices, and also consider the expected amount of non-compliance with the standards in computing the savings. |
Closed
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
|
| Department of Energy | The Secretary of Energy should continue to work on improving the soundness of the standards for the commercial sector so that the basis of the standards is minimum life-cycle cost to the building owner, as is true for the residential sector. |
Closed
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
|
| Department of Energy | The Secretary of Energy should develop procedures and cost estimates for implementing a voluntary Building Energy Performance Standard and also estimate energy savings that could be expected from such a voluntary program. This effort could assist Congress in making its decision on sanctions. |
Closed
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
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