The House and the Senate passed HB 1257, a smorgasbord of building efficiency provisions that require buildings in Washington state to meet increasing building efficiency standards, provide chargers for electric cars, and encourage utilities to offer renewable natural gas to customers. Building efficiency is one of the remaining issues to be addressed in reducing carbon emissions; other bills such as 5116 address electricity and 1110 addresses transportation.
According to the staff analysis, HB 1257:
- Requires the State Building Code Council to develop rules for electric vehicle infrastructure that require electric vehicle charging capability at all new buildings that provide on-site parking.
- Requires the Department of Commerce (Department) to establish a State Energy Performance Standard for covered commercial buildings by November 1, 2020.
- Requires the Department to establish a State Energy Performance Standard Early Adoption Incentive Program.
- Establishes energy benchmarking requirements for covered commercial buildings.
- Establishes a Natural Gas Conservation Standard.
- Authorizes a gas company to propose a renewable natural gas program.
- Requires each gas company to offer by tariff a voluntary renewable natural gas service available to all customers.
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