The BayREN PROP Report: Challenges & Opportunities California Technical Forum July 16, 2015 Wes Sullens

BayREN (Bay Area Regional Energy Network) BayREN is made up of public agencies representing all nine counties in the Bay Area One of only two regional energy networks in California Four program areas (SF, MF, C&S, Financing) Draws on the expertise, experience, and proven track record of local agencies and their staff Funding: $22.7 million 2015 Funding: $12.8 million Funding: ???

Codes and Standards Program Goals & Activities Provide support for cities and counties to better implement energy codes Targeted trainings + permit resource guides Share best practices & develop regional resources for going above code Regional Forums & peer-to-peer network Single family cost-effectiveness studies for Bay Area climate zones Toolkit for residential energy conservation policies Investigate areas for improvement in code enforcement processes & offer solutions PROP report & follow-up Regional plan check support program Next Forum: Tuesday, August 25 th San Jose

Permit Resource Opportunity Program (PROP) Report released April 1, 2015 Purpose  Assess energy code enforcement barriers and challenges  Identify successful enforcement strategies  Gather data about the impact of discrepancies on building performance  Provide targeted assistance to building departments

PROP Jurisdictional Analysis Visited 15 Building Departments in 2014 (1-2 day visits ea.)  Interview CBO, plans examiners, building inspectors, counter staff  Observe internal permitting processes  Collect data to learn  How they classify permits that trigger energy code  Volume of activity by energy code permit scenario  What energy code-related permits are  Issued at the counter  Plan reviewed  Results aggregated & anonymous

PROP Project-specific Analysis Reviewed 2-3 projects in-depth per jurisdiction  Criteria included convenient project, problematic projects or typical projects  Reviewed each project for energy code compliance discrepancies at several stages:  As submitted by permit applicant  After plan review  As constructed in the field

Examples

Findings  Error or Discrepancy-free compliance is rare for all building types when all three stages of permitting are considered  Errors and discrepancies do not always knock the project off the code minimum cliff  This uncertainty has a role in undermining code compliance and enforcement  This is also an opportunity for improving building performance

Examples

Findings Discrepancy ‘Themes’  Incomplete, inaccurate or conflicting energy information on plans/compliance documentation  Installed measures that perform worse than what was specified at permitting stage  Energy code documentation missing in the field  Inaccurate energy documentation on plans

1. Planning follow-up 2015 PROP visits now  Customized trainings offered to participating jurisdictions based on PROP findings  Compliance Improvement Measures identified for each department 2. Regional Plan Check Support Program launching soon  Beginning in Contra Costa County PROP Follow-up & Next Steps

Determine compliance with non-residential permits at Plan Check stage Provide expert review and training to Plans Examiners Report on compliance improvement metrics based on identified code errors Conduct stakeholder engagement in Bay Area to assess opportunities for expanding program Issue RFP (soon!) for enhanced activities Electronic plan check online permitting software plug-in Tablet/iPad-based building inspection online application Feasibility study for a regional electronic/online permit service Regional Plan Check Program Concept

Questions? Wes Sullens 1537 Webster Street Oakland, CA Resources available at: