Question
Did the Energy Commission receive any stakeholder input on these requirements? Were stakeholders aware of the Energy Commission’s proposal?
Answer
Zero-net-energy goals have been part of California’s Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan since 2008; the 2013, 2016, and 2019 updates to Part 6 have consistently and transparently worked toward these goals. The 2019 rulemaking was preceded by 10 utility-hosted and 14 Energy Commission-hosted workshops and public hearings over 15 months. Hundreds of participants provided thousands of comments, to each of which the Energy Commission responded during the 2019 rulemaking process. Participants included California Building Industry Association (CBIA), Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), California Energy Storage Alliance (CESA), Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) representing local jurisdictions, investor-owned utilities, municipal utilities, community-shared solar and renewables advocates, environmental advocates, solar PV and battery storage manufacturers, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and members of the public, among others. All events were publicly noticed weeks in advance, and relevant information was emailed to thousands of subscribers on the Energy Commission’s Building Standards listserv.