Committee concurs on SB 500 to broaden data sources for building energy benchmarking

Senator Stern presented SB 500 to the Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications, asking members to concur in assembly amendments that would give utilities authority to satisfy building benchmarking reporting requirements by providing aggregated energy usage data to building owners and to alternative systems approved by the California Energy Commission (CEC), rather than relying solely on the federal Energy Star Portfolio Manager.

"So when you go buy a washing machine or a stove or a fridge, you have a sticker on it says Energy Star and it'll usually tell you ... this fridge will cost you on average this much a year," Senator Stern said, using an appliance‑efficiency analogy to explain the type of usage and efficiency data the bill aims to preserve in state benchmarking programs. Stern told the committee that the federal Energy Star program currently faces uncertainty and that the bill is intended to allow California to rely on aggregated utility data or CEC‑approved alternatives.

Senator Archuleta asked for clarification about the type of usage data involved; Stern and his staff explained the proposal focuses on aggregated building usage data for benchmarking and consumer information rather than on detailed individual consumer profiles.

The committee recorded a roll call concurrence in the assembly amendments to SB 500; the motion to concur carried on the completed roll call (final recorded count reflected in the hearing was 12 ayes). There were no witnesses in opposition during the committee’s consideration. The committee left a roll call open for absent members earlier in the session but ultimately recorded the concurrence and the bill was reported out of committee.