Amendment ID: S2372-79-R1

Redraft Amendment 79

Home Energy Assessment

Mr. Brownsberger moves to amend the amendment in section 1, by striking out, in line 3, the word “documents” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- “the results of a home energy audit and the residential dwelling’s energy rating and label as established by the department of energy resources in section 11G½ of chapter 25A”; and

by striking out section 2 and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

“SECTION 2. Said section 97A of said chapter 13, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by striking out, in lines 8 and 9, the words “closing, outlining the procedures and benefits of a home energy audit; provided however, that” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- “listing; provided, however, that if there is no public listing, the home energy audit and the residential dwelling’s energy rating and label shall be made available prior to the time of the signing of the purchase and sale agreement; provided further, that the home energy audit and residential dwelling’s energy rating shall be valid under this section for 3 years; and provided further, that.”; and in section 10, in proposed section 11G 1/2, by striking out subsection (b) and inserting in place thereof the following 2 subsections:-

“(b) The home energy rating and label shall be provided to the owner of a single-family residential dwelling, a multi -family residential dwelling with less than 5 units and a condominium as part of: (i) a home energy assessment or in-home visit by qualified home energy assessors provided as part of the energy efficiency investment plan pursuant to section 21 of chapter 25 of the General Laws; (ii) a RESNET Home Energy Rating System rating assessment, by a RESNET-qualified home energy rater; or (iii) any other qualified energy assessment as determined by the department.  A home energy rating and label provider shall provide an electronic record to the department with sufficient data to reproduce each unit’s home energy rating and label within 30 days after the completion of the label.

(c) The department may promulgate regulations that are necessary to implement this section.”; and by striking out section 16 and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

“SECTION 16. There shall be an energy efficiency task force to develop recommendations and propose statutory changes for the creation of a successor energy efficiency program or improvements to be made to the current energy efficiency program and such program or improvements shall be implemented beginning in 2018 at the conclusion of the current 3-year, statewide energy efficiency plan developed pursuant to section 21 of chapter 25 of the General Laws.  In making its recommendations, the task force shall consider: (i) the successes, challenges and shortcomings of the current program design; (ii) the role of the program administrators; (iii) the designation or creation of a single entity, other than a gas or electric company or municipal aggregator, to run the program; (iv) additional ways to increase market competition; (v) alternative funding mechanisms for gas and electric energy efficiency; (vi) the identification of targets for energy efficiency customer participation and cost effective system load reduction; and (vii) alternative program design and best practices implemented in other states and countries. The task force shall also consider the cost impact upon the ratepayers.

The task force shall consist of the following members or their designees: the commissioner of the department of energy resources, who shall serve as chair; the attorney general; the chair of the department of public utilities; 2 members of the house of representatives, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader; 2 members of the senate, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader; a representative from the low-income weatherization and fuel assistance program network; a representative from the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Inc.; and 8 members who shall be appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the business community, which may include large commercial and industrial end users, 1 of whom shall be a representative of an energy-efficiency business, 1 of whom shall be a representative of an electric distribution company, 1 of whom shall be a representative of a natural gas distribution company, 1 of whom shall be a representative of a municipal aggregator with a certified energy-efficiency plan pursuant to subsection (b) of section 134 of chapter 164 of the General Laws, 1 of whom shall be a representative of an energy services company, 1 of whom shall be a representative of environmental interests and 1 of whom shall be a representative of labor interests.

The task force shall convene its first meeting by October 1, 2016. The task force may retain the assistance of experts to conduct research or facilitate the task force process. The task force shall report on its recommendations, which shall include drafts of legislation, to the senate and house chairs of the joint committee on telecommunications, utilities and energy by June 1, 2017.”