Energy Efficiency Standards for State Buildings

Summary

On January 16th, 2006, the governor of New Mexico signed Executive Order 2006-001, calling for all Executive Branch state agencies, including the Higher Education Department, to adopt the US Green Buildings Council’s LEED* rating system. New construction of public buildings over 15,000 square feet or using over 50 kW peak electrical demand and renovations involving the replacement of more than 3 major systems (HVAC, lighting, etc.) must achieve a minimum rating of LEED “Silver”. Projects between 5,000 and 15,000 square feet must achieve a minimum delivered energy performance standard of one half of the US energy consumption for that building type as defined by the US Department of Energy. All other new construction, renovations, repairs, and replacements of state buildings must employ cost-effective, energy efficient, green building practices to the maximum extent possible.

Furthermore, the act ordered that the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resource Department (EMNRD) convene a Public Schools Clean Energy Task Force to make recommendations to “implement aggressive energy efficiency measures” in all existing and newly constructed school buildings.

Executive Order 2007-053, established further energy saving goals for Executive Branch agencies in New Mexico, as well as the state as a whole. The Order set a goal of a 20% reduction below 2005 energy consumption levels for all Executive Branch agencies by 2015. The reduction will be based on the average energy usage per square foot of building space. Similarly, all Executive Branch agencies must reduce the energy usage of their fleets by 20% by 2015 relative to 2005 levels, and based on the average energy usage per state employee. The state-wide target is for a 20% reduction in per capita energy use across all sectors from 2005 levels by 2020, with an interim goal of 10% by 2012. Other provisions in the Executive Order deal with tracking, reporting and other administrative responsibilities related to these goals.

While the Executive Orders generally affect Executive Branch agencies only, SB 200 of 2010 established a wider building requirement for certain building projects throughout the state that receive state funding. New buildings and building additions of 3,000 square feet or more, and buildings undergoing certain system renovations must be designed and constructed to attain Energy Star certification. SB 200 also provides exemptions to the requirement for historic buildings and projects where the costs of compliance would exceed the estimated life-cycle savings of the project.


*Click here for more information on the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System.