Release: State Legislature passes Building Energy Savings Act

SB 48 would save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in California’s biggest commercial buildings

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Assembly, by a 57-17 vote Wednesday, passed legislation to boost energy efficiency in California’s biggest commercial buildings. SB 48 was authored by Sen. Josh Becker and sponsored by Environment California and the Institute for Market Transformation. The bill also passed a concurrence vote in the state Senate on Thursday evening and is on its way to the governor’s desk for him to sign into law.

“Reducing energy waste is one of the smartest moves California can make to cut down on air pollution and protect our climate,” said Steven King, Environment California’s clean energy advocate. “The Building Energy Savings Act will help California build a greener, more resilient future.”

SB 48 directs the state’s Energy Commission to develop a strategy to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in commercial buildings of over 50,000 square feet. The Energy Commission will leverage data that utility companies already collect to create this strategy.

“In the face of extreme weather brought on by climate change, improving building efficiency can reduce the greenhouse gas emissions exacerbating this problem while also reducing energy waste and improving building comfort,” said Sen. Josh Becker (Menlo Park). “It’s time for California to upgrade its biggest commercial buildings to become cleaner, more efficient and more comfortable.”

During increasingly hot Californian summers, maintaining energy grid reliability has been challenging. The Golden State can address this challenge by ensuring that buildings — especially large ones that consume a lot of resources — use energy more efficiently. While California’s codes demand that new and renovated buildings achieve high efficiency standards, many older buildings waste far more energy than they should. Commercial buildings with more than 50,000 square feet make up 6% of all commercial buildings but 53% of total commercial building energy use. SB 48 will help address this energy waste by recommending ways to improve energy efficiency.

“We thank Speaker Robert Rivas and all the members of the Assembly who voted for this important legislation,” concluded King. “Their ‘ayes’ bring us closer to cleaner, healthier and more efficient buildings in California.”