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Committee Substitute House Bill 2667 History

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Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted

WEST virginia legislature

2021 regular session

Committee Substitute

for

House Bill 2667

By Delegates Riley, Hansen, Queen, Hanna, Skaff, Steele, Hardy, Clark, Criss, Capito and Reynolds

[Originating in the Committee on Finance, March 24, 2021]


 

A BILL to amend and reenact §5A-3B-2 and §5B-2F-2 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend said code by adding thereto three new sections, designated §5B-2F-3, §5B-2F-4, and §5B-2F-5; all relating to promoting cost savings for state taxpayers by implementing an energy savings program for assessment and implementation of energy savings goals for state buildings; requiring energy-savings contracts to include provisions relating to energy cost savings guarantees and deficiency payments; providing for the auditing and potential removal of energy metering devices installed at state buildings; establishing an energy savings program and contracting program within Division of Energy for state buildings; and establishing benchmarking and energy efficiency goals for state buildings.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:


CHAPTER 5A. DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION.


ARTICLE 3B. ENERGY-SAVINGS CONTRACTS.


§5A-3B-2. Contracts for eEnergy-savings contracts.

(a) Agencies are authorized to enter into performance-based contracts with qualified providers of energy-conservation measures for the purpose of significantly reducing energy operating costs of agency owned buildings, subject to the requirements of this section.

(b) Before entering into a contract or before the installation of equipment, modifications or remodeling to be furnished under a contract, the qualified provider shall first issue a proposal summarizing the scope of work to be performed. A proposal must contain estimates of all costs of installation, modifications or remodeling, including the costs of design, engineering, installation, maintenance, repairs or debt service, as well as estimates of the amounts by which energy operating costs will be reduced. If the agency finds, after receiving the proposal, that the proposal includes one or more energy-conservation measures, the installation of which is guaranteed to result in a net savings of a minimum of five percent of the then current energy operating costs which savings will, at a minimum, satisfy any debt service required, the agency may enter into a contract with the provider pursuant to this section.

(c) An energy-savings contract must include the following:

(1) A guarantee of a specific minimum net percentage amount of at least five percent of energy operating costs each year over the term of the contract that the agency will save;

(2) A statement of all costs of energy-conservation measures, including the costs of design, engineering, installation, maintenance, repairs and operations; and

(3) A provision that payments, except obligations upon termination of the contract before its expiration, are to be made over time.

(4) A provision relating to guaranteed energy cost savings and payments due the State for any deficiency, in a form substantially similar to the following: In the event the energy and cost savings achieved during a guarantee year are less than the guaranteed energy cost savings for that year, the qualified provider shall pay the agency an amount equal to the deficiency. In no event shall a qualified provider use credit for excess savings to satisfy saving guarantees in future years of the contract. Savings achieved by the installed projects must comply with requirements contained in this section and sufficiently cover all project costs, including, as applicable, debt service and contractor fees, maintenance, monitoring, and other services, for the duration of the contract term. If a project does not generate the guaranteed level of savings in any predefined reconciliation term, the qualified provider is liable to the agency for the amount of the shortfall plus related costs.

(d) An agency may supplement its payments with federal, state or local funds to reduce the annual cost or to lower the initial amount to be financed.

(e) An energy-savings contract is subject to competitive bidding requirements and other requirements of article three of this chapter.

(f) An energy-savings contract may extend beyond the fiscal year in which it first becomes effective: Provided, That such a contract may not exceed a fifteen-year term: Provided, however, That the long term contract will be void unless the agreement provides that the agency shall have the option during each fiscal year of the contract to terminate the agreement.

(g) Agencies may enter into a “lease with an option to purchase” contract for the purchase and installation of energy-conservation measures if the term of the lease does not exceed fifteen years and the lease contract includes the provisions contained in subsection (f) of this section and meets federal tax requirements for tax-exempt municipal leasing or long-term financing.

(h) The agency may include in its annual budget for each fiscal year any amounts payable under long-term energy-savings contracts during that fiscal year.

(i) Upon the issuance of a request for proposals or request for quotations for an energy-savings contract, the agency shall provide a copy thereof to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.

(j) Before signing an energy-savings contract or extending an existing energy-savings contract, the agency shall give thirty days’ written notice, which notice shall include a copy of the proposal containing the information required by subsection (b) of this section, to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.


CHAPTER 5B. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1985.


ARTICLE 2F. DIVISION OF ENERGY.


§5B-2F-2. Purpose; Office of Energy; office to develop energy policy and development plan; contents of energy policy and development plan; and office to promote energy initiatives.

(a) Effective July 1, 2017, the Division of Energy is hereby continued, but shall be designated and known as the Office of Energy and shall be organized within the Development Office of the Department of Commerce Economic Development. All references throughout this code to the Division of Energy shall be construed to refer to the Office of Energy. The office may receive federal funds.

(b) The office is intended to provide leadership for developing energy policies emphasizing the increased efficiency of energy use, the increased development and production of new and existing domestic energy sources, the increased awareness of energy use on the environment and the economy, dependable, efficient and economical statewide energy systems capable of supporting the needs of the state, increased energy self-sufficiency where the ratio of indigenous to imported energy use is increased, reduce the ratio energy consumption to economic activity and maintain low-cost energy. The energy policies and development plans shall also provide direction for the private sector.

(c) The office shall have authority over the energy efficiency program existing under the West Virginia Development Office Department Economic Development.

(d) The office shall develop an energy policy and shall report the same back to the Governor and the Joint Committee on Government and Finance before December 1, 2007. The energy policy shall be a five-year plan setting forth the state’s energy policies and shall provide a direction for the private sector. Prior to the expiration of the energy policy, the office shall begin review of the policy and submit a revised energy policy to the Governor and the Joint Committee on Government and Finance six months before the expiration of the policy.

 (e) The office shall prepare and submit an annual energy development plan to the Governor and the Joint Committee on Government and Finance on or before December 1 of each year. The development plan shall relate to the office’s implementation of the energy policy and the activities of the office during the previous year. The development plan shall include any recommended legislation. The Public Energy Authority, the Office of Coalfield Community Development, the energy efficiency program, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Public Service Commission, in addition to their other duties prescribed by this code, shall assist the office in the development of an energy policy and related development plans. The energy development plan shall set forth the plans for implementing the state’s energy policy and shall provide a direction for the private sector. The energy development plan shall recognize the powers of the Public Energy Authority as to development and financing of projects under its jurisdiction and shall make such recommendations as are reasonable and practicable for the exercise of such powers.

(f) The office shall hold public hearings and meetings with notice to receive public input regarding proposed energy policies and development plans. The energy policy and development plans required by subsections (d) and  (e) of this section shall address increased efficiency of energy use, traditional and alternative energy, water as a resource and a component of energy production, energy distribution systems, the siting of energy facilities, the increased development and production of new and existing domestic energy sources, increased awareness of energy use on the environment and the economy, energy infrastructure, the development and implementation of renewable, clean, technically innovative and advanced energy projects in this state. Projects may include, without limitation, solar and wind energy, low-impact hydro power, geothermal, biomass, landfill gas, fuel cells, renewable hydrogen fuel technologies, waste coal, coal mine methane, coal gasification to ultraclean fuels, solid waste to fuel grade ethanol and coal liquefaction technologies.

(g) The office may propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code designed to implement an energy policy and development plan in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

(h) The energy policy and development plans required by subsections (d) and (e) of this section shall identify and report on the energy infrastructure in this state and include without limitation energy infrastructure related to protecting the state’s essential data, information systems and critical government services in times of emergency, inoperativeness or disaster. In consultation with the Director of the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, the office shall encourage the development of energy infrastructure and strategic resources that will ensure the continuity of governmental operations in situations of emergency, inoperativeness or disaster.

(i) In preparing or revising the energy policy and development plan, the office may rely upon internal staff reports or the advice of outside advisors or consultants and may procure such services with the consent of the Secretary of Commerce Economic Development. The office may also involve national, state and local government leadership and energy experts.

(j) The office shall prepare an energy use database, including without limitation, end-use applications and infrastructure needs for different classes of energy users including residential, commercial and industrial users, data regarding the interdependencies and sources of electricity, oil, coal, water and gas infrastructure, data regarding energy use of schools and state-owned facilities and collect data on the impact of the energy policy and development plan on the decisions and strategies of energy users of the state.

(k) The office shall promote collaboration between the state’s universities and colleges, private industry and nonprofit organizations to encourage energy research and leverage available federal energy research and development resources.

(l) The office shall promote initiatives to enhance the nation’s energy security through research and development directed at transforming the state’s energy resources into the resources that fuel the nation.

(m) The office shall work with the President of the United States and his or her administration to develop a plan that would allow West Virginia to become the leader in transitioning the United States to a new energy future.

(n) The office is to determine the best way for West Virginia to utilize its resources and any federal funding to develop the technologies that are necessary for such a transition.

(o) The office is to clearly articulate West Virginia’s position on an energy solution for the United States that encompasses clean coal, natural gas, transtech energy technologies and renewable energy technologies.

(p) The office shall develop and distribute an informational program and policies that emphasize the importance of West Virginia energy resources and their positive impact on the eastern seaboard and the nation.

(q) The office shall monitor legal challenges to the energy industries in the state and submit a report quarterly to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance. The report shall contain information relating to any litigation that challenges any statute that could affect the production, distribution and utilization of natural resources of the state.

(r) The office shall develop and administer a program for auditing the energy metering devices for both electricity and natural gas currently installed at state buildings for purposes of determining whether such devices are active or inactive. Such program shall be designed to audit no fewer than 20 percent (20%) of the energy metering devices each year to enable completion of the audit of all such devices no later than January 1, 2027. In the event the office determines during such audit that an energy metering device is no longer active, it shall notify the energy service provider to request (1) removal of such device and (2) adjustment of utility bills prospectively to remove any charge associated with such meter.


§5B-2F-3. Energy Savings Contracting Program.


            The secretary shall, working with such other agencies of the state as the secretary deems appropriate, establish an energy savings contracting program to support the design and installation of energy-savings contracts that may be entered into by agencies of the state under §5A-3B-1 et seq. of the code. Such program shall include the development and provision of model, template, or standardized contracts, guidelines, procedures, manuals, and other related documents regarding the use of energy-savings contracts.


§5B-2F-4. Energy savings program.


(a) No later than October 1, 2021, the secretary shall establish an energy savings program designed to reduce energy usage for electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, and steam in all state buildings under the care, custody, and control of the state by 25% below 2018 levels by 2030. The secretary shall report annually to the Legislature regarding the energy-conservation measures, as defined by §5A-3B-1(b) of this code, installed under the energy savings program, achieved reductions in energy usage, and additional energy-conservation measures, if any, necessary to achieve the required reductions by 2030. The secretary is authorized to enter into energy-savings contracts as defined in §5A-3B-1 et seq. of this code, as necessary, to implement the energy savings program. Energy-savings contracts entered into as part of the energy savings program shall require an annual energy audit performed by a third party and at the cost of the qualified provider. Energy audits shall include (1) A comparative analysis of anticipated to actual energy savings; and (2) the terms and conditions of agency payment and performance guarantees. Any such performance guarantees shall provide that the contractor is responsible for maintenance and repair services for any energy related equipment, including computer software.

(b) The department will collaborate with the Department of Administration to develop energy saving strategies and improve energy efficiency in state buildings under the control and care of the Department of Administration.


§5B-2F-5. Disclosure of energy usage.


            No later than July 1, 2021, the secretary shall establish a program for measuring and benchmarking the energy, including electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, and steam, efficiency of all state buildings under custody and control of the state. Such program shall use the benchmarking tool Energy Star Portfolio Manager® operated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. No later than October 1, 2021 and each year thereafter, the secretary shall compile and submit energy usage data for all state buildings to such benchmarking tool. The secretary shall report annually to the Legislature regarding the building energy performance compared to similar buildings in similar climates, as determined by the Energy Star Portfolio Manager®.

 

 

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to promote cost savings for state taxpayers by implementing an energy savings program for assessment and implementation of energy savings goals for state buildings; auditing energy metering devices installed at state buildings; and establishing benchmarking and energy efficiency goals for state buildings.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.

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