Energy Efficiency Improvement Act Signed into Law

The Energy Efficiency Improvement Act of 2015, a small energy efficiency bill with significant bipartisan support was signed into law by President Obama (Public Law No: 114-11) April 30, 2015. The law (1) requires a feasibility study on significantly improving energy efficiency in commercial buildings through design and construction and establishes a voluntary “Tenant Star” program within the Energy Star program to promote energy efficiency in rental property; (2) adjusts efficiency standards for “grid-connected” water heaters, so that water heaters needed for demand response and thermal storage programs can continue to be sold; and (3) promotes commercial building energy-use benchmarking and disclosure. There are multiple additional federal energy bills under consideration currently.