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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to improving state energy conservation, including through |
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the use of thermostat settings. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 447, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Section 447.015 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 447.015. STATE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND EXPENDITURES |
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DATABASE. The State Energy Conservation Office shall develop and |
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maintain a database of state agency energy consumption and |
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expenditures. The database must be designed to allow any agency to |
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determine the agency's energy consumption and expenditures in each |
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building occupied by the agency. The database may include the |
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square footage occupied by a state agency in a building. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 2165, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 2165.010 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2165.010. THERMOSTAT SETTINGS IN STATE BUILDINGS. (a) |
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A state agency or institution of higher education in charge and |
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control of a state building shall adjust thermostat settings within |
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industry standards for energy conservation, as determined by the |
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United States Department of Energy, to achieve occupant comfort and |
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to correspond to: |
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(1) seasonal temperature changes; and |
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(2) building occupancy schedules. |
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(b) This section does not apply to a building containing |
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temperature sensitive operations, including computer and |
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laboratory facilities and buildings in which populations live or |
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are served on a 24-hour basis. |
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SECTION 3. Section 388.005(e), Health and Safety Code, as |
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amended by Chapters 262 (S.B. 12) and 939 (H.B. 3693), Acts of the |
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80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, is reenacted and amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(e) A political subdivision, institution of higher |
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education, or state agency annually shall report to the State |
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Energy Conservation Office, on forms provided by that office, |
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regarding the entity's efforts and progress under this section. |
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The report must include the entity's seasonal specific thermostat |
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settings and thermostat settings for nonpeak or off hours. The |
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State Energy Conservation Office shall provide assistance and |
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information to the entity to help the entity meet the goals set |
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under this section. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |