The California Energy Commission is poised to establish energy code requirements related to greenhouses and indoor controlled environment horticulture. If adopted, the proposed greenhouse energy requirements will apply to newly constructed facilities that are permitted on or after Jan. 1, 2023. Existing facilities will only be required to comply if undergoing a major retrofit.
The Statewide Utility Codes and Standards Enhancement (CASE) Team recently issued a notice on what growers need to know. Here are the details.
Why: The intent is to inform the horticulture industry of forthcoming code changes in California so there is ample advanced notice to prepare for the proposed code changes. Additionally, this alert will clarify and explain the proposed code changes to ensure stakeholders understand which buildings this code change applies to, when, and what triggers the code.
Who: Growers (cannabis and non-cannabis), LED manufacturers, distributors, engineers, energy efficient consultants, research groups, industry trade groups, developers and facility designers, and facility managers should be aware of the proposed changes.
Where/When/How: Proposed requirements are expected to take effect on Jan. 1, 2023 and apply to projects permitted on or after this date. The Energy Commission and the California Statewide Utility Codes and Standards Program offer code compliance resources. Resources for new code requirements will be available on these following sites about a year after the code requirements are approved (and a year before the effective date of the requirements):
If you have additional questions about the proposed requirements, reach out to Payam.Bozorgchami@energy.ca.gov at the Energy Commission or the California Statewide Utility Codes and Standards Program at info@title24stakeholders.com.
Proposed code language will be posted to the Energy Commission docket 19-BSTD-03 and the Energy Commission will host public workshops before the code is official adopted in July 2021. If you are interested in following the code adoption proceedings, you can monitor the Energy Commission’s docket 19-BSTD-03.
Visit Title24stakeholders.com for more information about the Statewide CASE program and the proposed regulations.