There are 2 new laws recently passed by the Washington State Legislature and signed into law by Governor Inslee. The new legislation is one of the first of its kind and Washington is now the leading state when it comes to climate change measures.
These new laws, however, have major consequences for commercial property owners and construction companies. For example, the new legislation has set requirements for around 17 product categories. These requirements relate to installing energy-efficient lighting, computers/monitors, and plumbing systems in commercial construction buildings.
So, if you’re a commercial property owner or you run a construction company, you may want to familiarize yourself with the new laws and the consequences.
What Are The New Laws?
Governor Inslee signed the two new laws to aid in the fight against climate change. However, the two bills have a major impact on building owners and the commercial construction industry. This is because these laws relate to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in buildings.
As a result, commercial property owners will have to adapt and improve their buildings over time and construction companies will have to familiarize themselves to provide the correct service.
Senate Bill 5722 was sponsored by Nguyen. Its purpose is to assist with reducing greenhouse gas emissions in buildings. As a result, buildings that are more than 20,000 square feet in size will have to take steps to comply with the legislation.
The bill also provides for financial and technical assistance for building owners in overburdened areas.
The second bill passed that has a direct impact on construction companies is House Bill 1280. This bill is sponsored by Ramel. Its primary focus is to encourage energy-efficient public buildings. Inslee suggests that in order to achieve this, building owners should implement design strategies that work to reduce emissions.
It’s essential that commercial building owners, as well as construction companies, are aware of the necessary changes and adaptations that need to take place going forward.
How The Act Will Reduce Building Emissions
With buildings accounting for 27% of Washington’s greenhouse gas emissions, it was only a matter of time before the legislature implemented some drastic, but necessary changes.
Below we look at some of the ways the Act will work to reduce the emissions from commercial buildings.
Provide Incentives To Building Owners
Everybody loves an incentive. So, the new laws will provide energy standards and incentives based on how buildings consume energy.
This incentive scheme will reflect in the value of the property. For example, a commercial building owner who modifies their building through retrofits will have a far more valuable building.
Require Energy-Efficient Systems
Building owners also have to install energy-efficient appliances. These include the lighting and heating systems, which are the two systems that use the most energy.
The new laws will ensure that these systems are the most energy-efficient on the market. This will make a huge difference to the level of emissions from buildings. For example, commercial building owners are encouraged to install high-efficiency HVAC systems. These systems are essential for heating and cooling efficiency.
Encourage Utilities To Use Less Natural Gas
Once again, there will be an incentive for building owners to reduce their natural gas consumption. This sends the message that by investing in conservation, building owners will save money in the long run.
How Do These Laws Affect The Commercial Construction Industry And Property Owners?
The new laws mean that building owners will have to make certain changes. To do so, they will need the assistance of an experienced and trusted commercial construction company.
Commercial Construction
The bill passes the buck to commercial construction companies in that it says contractors must construct increasingly energy-efficient buildings. This is to achieve the main goal of building zero fossil-fuel greenhouse gas emission buildings by the year 2031.
The new laws also set the goal for construction carried out in terms of the 2027 State Energy Code to have a reduced annual net energy consumption of 70%.
Commercial Building Owners
Building owners will need to make the necessary changes to ensure their property retains and increases its value. Many owners will need to take the leap and switch from gas to electric systems. This means owners may need to upgrade their entire circuits.
So, it’s important that commercial building owners do the necessary research and consult the right construction companies to complete the work. That way, they can ensure they are compliant from the beginning.
Final Thoughts
The new laws have the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in various sectors. So, it’s your responsibility as a building owner to ensure you take the necessary steps to comply.
We at Chad Fisher Construction are here to help. We have years of experience in building energy-efficient buildings to benefit both our clients and the environment.