§17082 Zero Net Energy Commercial Buildings Initiative

Summary

Create a program called the Zero‑Net‑Energy Commercial Buildings Initiative to cut how much energy U.S. commercial buildings use and to get them to operate without adding greenhouse gas emissions. Key terms: consortium — a High‑Performance Green Building Consortium the Commercial Director picks; initiative — the Zero‑Net‑Energy Commercial Buildings Initiative; zero‑net‑energy commercial building — a high‑performance commercial building that uses much less energy, meets remaining needs with non‑greenhouse‑gas energy, results in no net greenhouse gas emissions, and is financially viable. The Commercial Director must choose the consortium by competitive selection and sign an agreement no later than 180 days after December 19, 2007, using the authority in section 7256(g) as much as possible. The initiative aims for all new commercial buildings to be zero‑net‑energy by 2030, 50% of the commercial building stock by 2040, and all commercial buildings by 2050. Activities may include research and development, pilot projects, deployment and technical help, training and public education, helping building codes, fixing landlord/tenant incentive problems, and better ways to measure savings. Cost sharing is required under section 16352. Authorized funding: $20,000,000 for FY2008; $50,000,000 for FY2009 and FY2010 each; $100,000,000 for FY2011 and FY2012 each; and $200,000,000 for each FY2013 through FY2018.