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Judicial Council advances 2023 facilities standards, sets energy and water targets for future projects
Summary
The council’s facilities team recommended adopting the 2023 Trial Court Facilities Standards to replace the 2020 edition; staff highlighted goals of 15% increased energy efficiency and 12% improved water conservation above Title 24, a statewide solar procurement with targeted $13M utility savings by 2026, and recent portfolio water reductions.
The Court Facilities Advisory Committee recommended that the Judicial Council adopt the 2023 California Trial Court Facilities Standards to guide future capital projects. Judge Eric Wersching and Tamara Ahmed (Facilities Services) described targets that would aim for a 15% energy‑efficiency gain and a 12% water‑conservation improvement compared with Title 24 minimum requirements for future projects.
Ahmed said the facilities portfolio reduced absolute water consumption by more than 17% compared with a 2019 baseline and framed the portfolio’s greenhouse‑gas emissions (about 73,000 metric tons CO2) to explain the opportunities for energy‑efficiency and renewables. Staff outlined a multi‑step sustainability strategy—measure baseline emissions (2018 baseline used for energy/carbon), set targets, align with a cleaner grid, implement energy‑efficiency measures, electrify heating where feasible, install on‑site renewables and procure off‑site renewable electricity—and cited planned statewide solar procurement and PPAs targeting an approximate $13 million utility cost reduction by April 2026.
The presentation also discussed planned EV charger installations at multiple courts (177 level‑2 posts in disadvantaged communities), FEMA grant-funded generator retrofits for resiliency, and exploring energy‑service company (ESCO) contracting and other funding avenues. Council members asked about cost trade‑offs between retrofits and replacements; staff said the studies will provide cost estimates to inform fiscal‑year 2025–26 recommendations.
