Maine § 1764-A. - Improvement of energy efficiency in state-funded construction

§ 1764-A.. Improvement of energy efficiency in state-funded construction

1.  Definition.  For purposes of this section, "substantially renovated" means any renovation for which the cost exceeds 50% of the building's current value prior to renovation.

2.  Rules.  The Bureau of General Services, in consultation with the Public Utilities Commission, shall by rule require that all planning and design for the construction of new or substantially renovated state-owned or state-leased buildings and buildings built with state funds, including buildings funded through state bonds or the Maine Municipal Bond Bank:

A. Involve consideration of architectural designs and energy systems that show the greatest net benefit over the life of the building by minimizing long-term energy and operating costs;   [PL 2003, c. 497, §1 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 497, §5 (AFF).]

B. Include an energy-use target that exceeds by at least 20% the energy efficiency standards in effect for commercial and institutional buildings pursuant to the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code under Title 10, chapter 1103; and   [PL 2017, c. 475, Pt. C, §1 (AMD).]

C. Include a life-cycle cost analysis that explicitly considers cost and benefits over a minimum of 30 years and that explicitly includes the public health and environmental benefits associated with energy-efficient building design and construction, to the extent they can be reasonably quantified.   [PL 2003, c. 497, §1 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 497, §5 (AFF).]

Rules adopted pursuant to this section apply to all new or substantially renovated state-owned or state-leased buildings and buildings built with state funds, including buildings funded through state bonds or the Maine Municipal Bond Bank, regardless of whether the planning and design for construction is subject to approval by the department.  

Rules adopted pursuant to this section may provide for exemptions, waivers or other appropriate consideration for buildings with little or no energy usage, such as unheated sheds or warehouses.  

The Bureau of General Services shall adopt rules pursuant to this section by July 1, 2004. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.  

3.  Approval.  A state agency responsible for approving the construction of a new or substantially renovated state-owned or state-leased building and buildings built with state funds, including buildings funded through state bonds or the Maine Municipal Bond Bank, may not grant such approval unless the agency or other entity or organization proposing the construction can show that it has duly considered the most energy-efficient and environmentally efficient designs suitable in accordance with rules adopted pursuant to this section.