The BayREN PROP Report:Challenges & Opportunities

California Technical ForumJuly 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

• 2013-14 Funding: $22.7 million• 2015 Funding: $12.8 million • 2016+ 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

www.BayREN.org/codes

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

Examples

FindingsDiscrepancy ‘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 StreetOakland, CA 94523

510-891-6511

wsullens@stopwaste.org

Resources available at: www.bayren.org/codes