Texas Senate Bill 5 Legislation for Reducing Pollution in Non-Attainment and Affected Areas: An Overview of Legislative Responsibilities, Code Compliance Issues and Accomplishments

摘要

The 77th Texas Legislature, in 2001,established Senate Bill 5, SB-5, which addressedNOx emission reductions by establishingprograms to reduce vehicle emissions andreductions due to energy efficiency and the useof renewable energy sources. The 78th TexasLegislature further expanded SB-5 into codecertification for code officials and above codeprograms.Using data available from the TexasCommission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ,the EPA and new procedures developed by theLaboratory, the annual energy savings calculatedin 2003 from energy-code compliant newresidential construction in non-attainment andaffected counties were 252,238 megawatt hoursof electricity and 887,564 million Btu of naturalgas. The resultant annual NOx reductions were473 tons. On a peak summer day in 2003, theNOx emissions were 2.44 tons.SB-5 recognized Energy Efficiency /Renewable Energy, EE/RE, as a valid method toreduce emissions. The Energy SystemsLaboratory was made responsible for achievingthe following goals.1. Quantify the NOx reductions from EE/RE bycounty.2. Assist cities and counties determine the impactof code amendments that they planned to adopt.3. Conduct training on the IRC / IECC, includingASHRAE 90.1.4. Set up a certification program for codeofficials.5. Assist cities and counties to achieve abovecode performance.6. Translate the EE/RE savings into EPAacceptable emissions reductions which can beapplied to the State Implementation Plan, SIP.