HF3179

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to establish energy performance standards for certain buildings in Minnesota. The goal is to significantly reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions from these buildings, achieving a 90% reduction from 2005 levels by the year 2045.

Main Provisions

• Energy Performance Standards Program: Establishes a program to reduce the energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions from covered buildings. Different classes of buildings will have specific timelines to meet energy use intensity (EUI) standards.

• EUI Standards: Requires setting both interim and final energy use intensity (EUI) standards that buildings must adhere to. The interim standards aim to ensure gradual progress towards the 2045 goal with evaluations every five years starting in 2028.

• Building Classification: Classifies covered buildings into different categories based on ownership and size, with specific compliance schedules for each class.

• Exemptions and Adjustments: Provides options for building owners to request extensions, exemptions, or adjustments to EUI standards due to financial distress or other significant factors, subject to the commissioner's approval.

• Penalties and Compliance: Sets up penalties for building owners who do not meet the EUI standards and encourages energy-saving measures through compliance payments.

• Advisory Committee: Establishes a Building Performance Advisory Committee to assist in implementing the program, recommend standards, and advise on processes.

• Assistance Hub and Grants: Introduces a technical and financial assistance hub to support building owners, along with a grant program to aid in achieving energy conservation improvements.

Significant Changes

• This bill introduces mandatory energy performance standards that apply to specific building classes, a marked change from previous voluntary measures.
• It establishes a comprehensive timeline for reducing energy consumption and provides mechanisms for monitoring and reporting progress.
• The bill includes provisions for financial penalties for non-compliance, a newly formalized approach to enforce energy standards.

Relevant Terms

• Energy Performance Standards
• Energy Use Intensity (EUI)
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction
• Building Classification
• Compliance Penalties
• Energy Conservation
• Advisory Committee
• Grant Program
• Technical Assistance Hub