Delegate Wu proposes monthly energy-reporting requirement for school systems

Delegate Wu introduced House Bill 66, a measure that would require local school systems to report monthly energy-usage data to the Interagency Commission (IAC) for analysis and recommendations. "This bill does not have a physical impact and in fact will result in long term saving for school system by improving energy management and extending the lifespan of school buildings," Delegate Wu said during the Appropriations Committee bill hearing.

The bill sponsor said HB 66 grew out of work by a Howard County task force and his experience on the Howard County Board of Education, where small changes in building temperatures produced large budget savings. Wu described the proposal as a low-cost way to identify waste, optimize heating and cooling, and potentially reduce maintenance costs and extend facilities' life span by up to 20 percent.

IAC representatives were present for information. The sponsor emphasized the bill would not fund construction or require new capital spending; it would only require school systems to share existing energy-usage data with the IAC. "We simply need to establish a structured process to move forward," Wu said, adding the approach is intended to harness data to refine building management practices.

Committee members asked the IAC whether it had additional comments; none were recorded during the hearing. The committee concluded the HB 66 presentation with no formal vote recorded in the hearing transcript.

If enacted, the measure would create a new reporting requirement; the bill's text and implementing regulations would determine how the IAC receives, stores and uses the monthly data and whether any technical or staffing support would be necessary for local school systems.