Energy Code and Clean Energy Action Items

These action items and FYIs from RESNET, Colorado, and Maryland need your attention as we wrap up 2021.

Colorado

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is scheduled to hold a fourth hearing to take public comments on the Public Service Company of Colorado’s (PSCo) Clean Energy Plan. It lays a framework “to procure zero-carbon energy to reduce CO2 emissions from electricity in Colorado by 80% by 2030.” 

To move away from coal and natural gas resources, the plan proposes adding 200 MW of demand response resources to reduce peak energy demand through the deployment of smart meters, thermostats and appliances, and electrification upgrades including heat pumps and heat pump water heaters.  

The PUC’s fourth and final public comment hearing will take place on December 2, 2022. Afterward, they will move forward with a decision to approve or modify PSCo’s Clean Energy Plan.

RESNET 

RESNET has two addendums currently out for review:

• BSR/RESNET/ICC 301-202x, Standard for the Calculation and Labeling of the Energy Performance of Dwelling and Sleeping Units using an Energy Rating Index (draft 3) has been released for public comment. The new edition will include all addenda and interpretations of the 2019 edition and provide additional clarifications and changes.

To review the 213-page standard, please click here to download the Word document. If anyone makes a comment (none had been filed as of press time), you can click here to view it. Finally, to file a public comment exclusively on the changes shown in draft PDS-03 by strike-through and underline text in red print, please click here. The deadline to submit comments is December 19, 2021.

• Draft 2 of Addendum D of BSR/RESNET/ICC 301-202x, CO2 Index has also been released for public comment. This proposes the creation of a CO₂ Rating Index using hourly energy simulation results from accredited HERS tools. It would use NREL Cambium database year 2050, Low RE Cost-case, Long-Run Marginal, hourly CO₂ emission factors applied against electric energy consumption. It would also use EPA AP-42 for Emission Factors applied against household combustion fuels (e.g. natural gas, fuel oil, propane). The CO2 Rating Index would not affect the calculation of either the HERS Index or the ERI. Finally, it would configure the CO₂ Rating Index Reference Home the same as the Energy Rating Reference Home except using electricity for all energy end uses.

To review the three-page addendum, please click here to download the Word document. If anyone makes a comment (one had been filed as of press time), you can click here to view it. Finally, to file a public comment exclusively on the changes shown in draft PDS-02 by strike-through and underline text in red print, please click here. The deadline to submit comments is December 19.

Maryland

Starting on January 3, 2022 (the first business day of the new year), the Maryland Clean Energy Center will launch the Clean Energy Advantage Pilot Program, which will provide zero- and low-interest financing options for residential energy efficiency upgrades. Interested parties are asked to visit this website in early January for more details.