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5.20 Dry Utilities

5.20.2 ELECTRICITY

Relevant Plans, Policies, and Regulations

Federal

Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
On December 19, 2007, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) was signed
into law. In addition to setting increased Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards
for motor vehicles, the EISA includes other provisions related to energy efficiency:

• Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) (Section 202)

• Appliance and Lighting Efficiency Standards (Sections 301–325)
• Building Energy Efficiency (Sections 411–441)

Additional provisions of the EISA address energy savings in government and public
institutions, promoting research for alternative energy, additional research in carbon
capture, international energy programs, and the creation of “green jobs”.

State

Title 24 Energy Efficiency Standards

California’s Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Non-Residential Buildings were
established in 1978 in response to a mandate to reduce the State’s energy consumption.
These standards are promulgated under the California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 24,
Part 6, and are commonly referred to as “Title 24”. The Title 24 standards are periodically
updated to reflect new or improved energy efficiency technologies and methods. The 2016
Title 24 standards have been adopted and was effective January 1, 2017. A new development
project is required to incorporate the most recent Title 24 standards in effect at the time the
building permit application is submitted.

Title 24 Green Building Standards

The 2016 California Green Building Standards Code (24 CCR, Part 11), also known as the
CALGreen code, contains mandatory requirements for new residential and nonresidential
buildings (including buildings for retail, office, public schools and hospitals) throughout
California (CBSC 2017b). The development of the CALGreen Code is intended to (1) cause a
reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from buildings; (2) promote environmentally
responsible, cost effective, healthier places to live and work; (3) reduce energy and water
consumption; and (4) respond to the directives by the Governor. In short, the code is
established to reduce construction waste; make buildings more efficient in the use of
materials and energy; and reduce environmental impact during and after construction.

The CALGreen Code contains requirements for construction site selection, storm water
control during construction, construction waste reduction, indoor water use reduction,
material selection, natural resource conservation, site irrigation conservation, and more. The

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Draft EIR