Energy efficiency

The bill goes back on an agreement that allowed local governments to have stricter energy efficiency rules if they were in place before 2018.

A bill passed by the House Business Committee Monday is the latest effort to limit cities’ abilities to enforce their own energy codes that regulate heating and cooling equipment, lighting and how air-tight a building is.

The board was considering cuts to some energy efficiency requirements for commercial and residential buildings. They regulate heating and cooling equipment, lighting and how air-tight a home is.

The Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses, or DOPL, is proposing getting rid of some minimum efficiency standards in residential and commercial buildings as they relate to insulation, heating and cooling, and lighting, among other provisions.

Some who testified Tuesday think the codes, which regulate things like the size of HVAC units and whether air leakage tests are needed, are good for consumer protection and keep utility bills low.