Fewer mandates recommended than expected for home's energy efficiency

Fewer mandates recommended than expected for home's energy efficiency

Written by Christi Covington Friday, 12 September 2008

A surprise unanimous vote came Sept. 10, removing almost all mandatory requirements from a task force's final recommendation for a possible energy efficiency ordinance.

"It probably does not have everything that everyone wants, but it is a compromise and it's a real strong step forward," said Phillip Schmandt, who is chair of the Energy Efficiency Upgrades Task Force.

The draft went from suggesting that the city might require many home buyers make energy efficiency upgrades to their home within a year of purchase to only asking for a mandated energy audit before a home can be sold. The final recommendation will also encourage that owners of multifamily properties whose buildings use more than 150 percent of the average energy intensity will be required to complete an energy audit and sign an agreement with Austin Energy to have necessary upgrades.

Now that the task force has completed its work, the recommendation will go to boards and commissions, possibly in October, before appearing in completed form to the city council sometime in mid to late fall.

See earlier article, "Realtors' association questions aspects of possible ordinance" from Community Impact Newspaper.

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