WILDOMAR, Calif. Feb. 12, 2019—The California Energy Alliance (CEA), a member-based organization committed to smart, sustainable energy use within the built environment, is pleased to announce it has received significant funding from the California Labor Management Cooperation Committee (LMCC), already a current member, for CEA’s recently-announced Outcome-Based Code (OBC) initiative. The LMCC, an organization devoted to representing the interests of the electrical industry from both labor and management perspectives, works closely with both the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).

The OBC initiative, kicked off by the CEA in late 2018, focuses on developing and implementing energy performance standards that rely on actual energy use measured in real time instead of load forecast calculations, or modeling. Currently, California Title 24 provides for only two compliance paths: a prescriptive path most often used for retrofit and small new construction projects and a performance-based path most often used for large new construction and major renovation projects. The prescriptive path is complex and unable to keep up with technological advances, and the performance-based path is expensive. Neither approach accurately captures actual building energy performance and efficiency. An outcome-based code framework allows building professionals increased latitude to use systems and designs that meet the functional and aesthetic goals for a building. Most importantly, OBC provides actual energy use data to give Californians confidence that their energy efficiency dollars are spent in the most effective way.

"The work CEA is undertaking toward advancing a pragmatic, sustainable framework for outcome-based energy codes represents a unique opportunity for the electrical industry to participate in policy development that will impact today’s and tomorrow’s electrical professionals, and maximize ratepayer’s return on investment,” notes Bernie Kotlier, Executive Director of the LMCC. “We are very excited about participating in this work and look forward to fruitful collaboration amongst all the stakeholders involved.”

“We are very pleased to receive this additional focused financial support from the LMCC,” said John Martin, CEA Co-Chair. “We recognize that this kind of contribution demonstrates the trust our members have in our organization to drive collaboration among a diverse set of stakeholders to achieve true energy policy improvements for California’s future.”

More information on CEA and its initiatives may be found at www.caenergyalliance.org.

California Energy Alliance Receives Significant Member Contribution for Outcome-Based Code Initiative