Energy Conservation in Public Facilities

Summary

North Carolina adopted General Statute 143 Article 3B which requires State agencies to conduct a life-cycle cost analysis and utilize energy-conservation practices when they construct and renovate State facilities under their jurisdiction. The life-cycle cost analysis must be certified by a registered professional engineer or bear the seal of a North Carolina registered architect, or both. The Department of Administration shall develop and implement policies, procedures, and standards to ensure that State purchasing practices improve energy efficiency and take the cost of the product over the economic life of the product into consideration. The Department of Administration shall also adopt and implement Building Energy Design Guidelines. These guidelines shall include energy-use goals and standards, economic assumptions for life-cycle cost analysis, and other criteria. The Department of Administration shall modify the design criteria for construction and renovation of facilities to require that a life-cycle cost analysis be conducted pursuant to G.S. 143-64.15. The Department of Administration, as part of the Facilities Condition and Assessment Program, shall identify and recommend energy conservation maintenance and operating procedures that are designed to reduce energy consumption within the facility and that require no significant expenditure of funds. The Department of Administration shall develop a comprehensive energy management program for State government. Likewise, each State agency must develop and implement an energy management plan that is consistent with the State's comprehensive energy management program.