Performs energy efficiency research and helps to implement the Texas LoanSTAR program, a premier state building retrofit program.
State Energy Efficiency Policy Database
Texas
Related Publications & Documents
(Research Report - 4/22/2013)
(Research Report - 3/5/2013)
Related Items
(Blog Article - 4/22/2013)
(Blog Article - 3/14/2013)
Related External Links
Texas Lead by Example Initiatives
On June 15, 2007, Governor Perry signed HB 3693—an omnibus energy efficiency bill, which established efficiency provisions applicable to school districts and to certain institutions of higher education and executive branch state agencies, requiring them to establish a goal of reducing their annual electricity consumption by 5% for six consecutive years beginning September 1, 2007.
State Statute (19 TX Administrative Code 34.1.C ) requires that before beginning construction of a new state building or a major renovation project, a state agency or an institution of higher education establishes that the project complies with minimum energy efficiency design requirements.
The 81st Legislature also passed HB 1831 and HB 4409, both of which require critical government buildings to obtain a combined heat and power (CHP) feasibility study prior to construction or major renovation.
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July 19, 2012
HB 3693 requires school instructional facilities, higher education educational facilities, dormitories, and certain other buildings, executive branch agencies, and certain judicial entities, to purchase commercially available light bulbs compatible with light fixtures that use the fewest watts for the necessary illumination. State facilities must also purchase other equipment and appliances that meet or exceed federal energy standards whenever such purchases are cost effective.
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October 13, 2010
No policy in place or proposed
Note: For state efficient fleet initiatives, policies listed must make a specific, mandatory requirement for increasing state fleet efficiency. State alternative-fuel vehicle procurement requirements that give a voluntary option to count efficient vehicles are thus not included.
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October 13, 2010
The State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) provides robust details about how to go about enter into an ESPC. SECO offers a number of financing options to help mitigate the cost of ESPCs to state agencies, including a revolving loan fund, tax exemptions, and bond financing. SECO also provides numerous model documents and lays out the process for establishing an ESPC in a guide.
Links:
- SECO: ESPCs
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory: Texas ESPC Legislation
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory: Performance Contracting and Energy Efficiency in the State Government Market (pdf)
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July 19, 2012
The Texas A&M Energy Systems Laboratory (ESL) is a division of the Texas Engineering Experiment Stationand focuses on energy-related research, energy efficiency, and emissions reduction. ESL directs its efforts toward innovative energy technologies and systems, and toward commercializing affordable results for industry. Some specialized areas include: metering and modeling energy use in buildings; optimization of HVAC systems; and modeling and analysis. ESL also plays an important role in the implementation of state energy standards. The Lab has a total annual external research and testing income of $10 million and a staff of 46.
The Center for Energy and Environmental Resources (CEER) serves as the central liaison for energy and environmental research, education, and public service at the University of Texas at Austin. It focuses on efficient and economical use of energy and on ensuring a cleaner environment by developing, in cooperation with industry, processes and technologies that minimize waste and conserve natural resources. CEER occupies over 43,000 sq. feet of lab and office space, has a total staff of 107, and is funded from numerous state, federal, and private sources.
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June 13, 2012