2007 Senate Bill 597

Repeal 7-year “payback” standard for new home energy mandates

Introduced in the Senate

June 20, 2007

Introduced by Sen. Ray Basham (D-8)

To eliminate the current provision that bases state energy efficiency mandates on new residential construction on an expected seven-year “payback” period. This would be replaced by the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code, which would impose a standard that in general would result in much longer “payback” periods (because the cost of new homes would be significantly higher.) The Granholm administration has sought to impose standards that exceed the current limitation in the law, and their authority to do so is the subject of an ongoing lawsuit.

Referred to the Committee on Energy Policy and Public Utilities