SB 48

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Existing law requires each utility to maintain records of the energy usage data of all buildings to which they provide service for at least the most recent 12 complete calendar months, and to deliver or otherwise provide that aggregated energy usage data for each covered building, as defined, to the owner, as specified. This bill would expand those requirements, beginning January 1, 2025, to include each utility that provides water service and its water usage data. By imposing new duties on utilities that provide water service, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. Existing law authorizes the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (Energy Commission) to prescribe, by regulation, lighting, insulation, climate control system, and other building design and construction standards, and energy and water conservation design standards, for new residential and new nonresidential buildings to reduce the wasteful, uneconomic, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy, as specified. This bill would require the Energy Commission and the State Water Resources Control Board, in consultation with the State Air Resources Board, Public Utilities Commission, and Department of Housing and Community Development, on or before July 1, 2026, to jointly develop a strategy for using the energy and water usage data described above to track and manage the energy and water usage and emissions of greenhouse gases of covered buildings in order to achieve the state's goals, targets, and standards related to energy and water usage and emissions of greenhouse gases of covered buildings, as specified. The bill would authorize the Energy Commission and the State Water Resources Control Board, upon appropriation, to jointly establish energy and water usage building performance standards consistent with the strategy. The bill would require the Energy Commission and State Water Resources Control Board to triennially evaluate the progress of the strategy in achieving improvements in energy and water efficiency and reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases and evaluate the impacts of the strategy on disadvantaged communities, as specified. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.