Virginia House Bill HB379

Virginia 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/22
• Refer: 1/11/22

Caption

Energy benchmarking; access to data on energy usage in certain buildings, civil penalty.

Impact

This legislation incites significant changes in how large buildings track and report on their energy usage. By allowing local governments to implement energy benchmarking, the bill encourages the evaluation and comparison of energy performance among buildings, promoting sustainability initiatives across localities. Ultimately, this could lead to substantial reductions in energy consumption, with the potential for local programs aimed at improving energy efficiency. The Department of Energy will play a pivotal role in developing uniform guidelines for implementing these benchmarking requirements, fostering consistency across the state.

Summary

House Bill 379 proposes the inclusion of an energy benchmarking framework within the Code of Virginia, aiming to enhance the performance of energy usage in large buildings. The bill delineates the responsibilities of localities to establish ordinances that require certain covered buildings—defined as those with a gross floor area of not less than 30,000 square feet—to report on their energy usage. To facilitate this, utilities are mandated to provide aggregated data on energy consumption to the owners of these properties upon request, enriching the data available for benchmarking purposes.

Contention

Noteworthy points of contention arise regarding the implications for property owners and local governments. While some advocate that this move will highlight energy efficiency and aid in combating climate change, others express concerns about the administrative burdens it might impose on property owners and the associated costs of compliance. Additionally, stipulations allowing for civil penalties of up to $2,500 for violations could lead to apprehensions among property owners regarding the financial repercussions of non-compliance.

Legal framework

HB 379 establishes a framework that promotes a thorough understanding of energy usage in larger buildings, aligning with broader state interests in sustainability and energy efficiency. However, this legal development also leads to discussions on the balance between local autonomy and state mandates, as the requirement for local ordinances could prompt diverse implementation strategies across various regions. Thus, the conversation surrounding the bill touches not only on energy issues but also on governance and regulatory approaches in energy management.