Legislature(2013 - 2014)CAPITOL 106
03/19/2014 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s) | |
| HB341 | |
| HR9 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HR 9 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 341 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 341-SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION, DESIGN & FUNDING
8:51:16 AM
CHAIR GATTIS announced that the final order of business would be
HB 341, "An Act relating to school construction and major
maintenance funding; relating to school design standards."
8:51:26 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:51 a.m. to 8:56 a.m.
8:56:08 AM
VASILIOS GIALOPSOS, Staff, Representative Charisse Millett,
Alaska State Legislature, on behalf of the prime sponsor, stated
that HB 341 is an outcome of the sponsor's participation in the
House Education Sustainable Task Force and her interest in
obtaining efficiencies in construction, major renovations, and
rehabilitation of school buildings. This stems from the basic
philosophy that budget reduction means considering whether funds
will fund programs or facility construction. There needs to be
a real conversation about the source of construction. In 2012,
the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) took advantage of
funds received from the American Reinvestment Recovery Act
(ARRA) as well at AHFC's own funds to conduct the most
comprehensive audit of public schools and facilities in general
in the state. He characterized some of their findings as
extraordinary. He acknowledged that this bill needs serious
revision, but the legislative intent is not to use a "cookie
cutter" approach since the geographical and climactic diversity
of Alaska could never yield the types of desired outcomes. One
goal is to ensure that buildings being built do not need serious
upgrades five years later. The AHFC and the Cold Climate
Housing Research Center can help provide objective and
measurable criteria and outcomes.
8:59:29 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KITO III asked whether Alaska Housing Finance
Corporation will offer the presentation.
9:00:00 AM
STACY SCHUBERT, Director, Governmental Affairs & Public
Relations, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC), Department
of Revenue (DOR), described the work that AHFC has been
recognized for with energy rebate, weatherization, and energy
efficiency in homes. In 2010, AHFC received federal funds
through the ARRA, which were used to consider energy efficiency
in public facilities and schools throughout the state. The AHFC
examined 1,200 buildings and performed investment grade audits
on 327 buildings. This effort resulted in a white paper on
energy use in Alaska's public facilities [included in members'
packets]. She provided a brief overview of today's
presentation.
9:01:28 AM
JOHN ANDERSON, Program Officer, Weatherization, Alaska Housing
Finance Corporation (AHFC), Department of Revenue, presented a
PowerPoint on HB 341. He stated that in 2010 Senate Bill 220
established this process for AHFC by establishing a $250 million
revolving loan fund for energy efficiency improvements on public
facilities [slide 2]. The AHFC used ARRA funds, which fit well
with the AHFC's efforts. Ms. Schubert mentioned the AHFC
reviewed 1,200 buildings using a benchmarking process, the
initial review of a building, as well as seeking two years of
energy data when available. That effort identified high energy
use buildings and AHFC conducted American Society of Heating,
Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) level two
audits on 327 buildings. The AHFC developed the Alaska Retrofit
Information System (ARIS) database, a clearinghouse for
information on Alaska buildings to track energy use in buildings
throughout the state [slide 3]. Many organizations, such as the
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, the Alaska
Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) and some schools are
using ARIS to track energy use.
9:04:00 AM
MR. ANDERSON stated that the Building Energy Efficiency Standard
(BEES) is at the core of AHFC. All of the projects that AHFC
funds must meet certain standards, including the energy and
structural codes. Tied to the Building Energy Efficiency
Standard (BEES) is the Home Energy Rating System (HERS), noting
the AHFC has invested considerable funds to develop its software
program.
9:04:53 AM
MR. ANDERSON described the assessment process [slide 5]. The
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning
Engineers (ASHRAE) process or the benchmarking process provides
standardized audit processes. He reported 327 of 1,200
buildings examined were identified as the highest energy use
buildings and investment grade audits were done to gather and
analyze data and report the findings. The AHFC spent $7.2
million over a two-year period. The AHFC provided the
University of Alaska a $1 million grant to audit its facilities.
Additionally, another $10 million was passed on to DOT&PF for
audits on its facilities. Over 5,000 facilities exist resulting
in energy use costs totaling $641 million annually. The 32
audits resulted in significant savings of $14.7 million just
from changing windows, control modifications, and adding
insulation. One discovery was that the age of the building had
little correlation to energy use so new doesn't always mean
efficient [slide 6]. Additional analysis is still being
completed to provide information for a comprehensive commercial
outcomes report, he said.
MR. ANDERSON related the AHFC headquarters building was
purchased in 2011, following a 14-year lease. The AHFC
completed a heating and ventilation retrofit, roofing upgrades,
and exterior lighting and control systems. Currently, the AHFC
has realized a 40 percent savings on gas and 30 percent in
electrical use [slide 7].
MR. ANDERSON reviewed the overall energy audit recommendations,
including appropriately sized new buildings, establish a level
of accountability, meter and track energy use data, and
consolidate facility use where possible. One challenge was to
obtain accurate costs for components of facilities since some
buildings did not have individual meters to provide the specific
information.
9:11:08 AM
MR. ANDERSON indicated the recommendations for building design,
that a design should take certain aspects into consideration,
including: life-cycle cost of building components and
equipment, especially in areas with high energy costs; building
use, system sizes, controlled ventilation, and lighting to
maximize efficiency, and reduction of excessive glass and
maximize daylight harvesting. He reported the average age of
the buildings audited was 30 years.
MS. SCHUBERT estimated the savings for the 5,000 buildings
across the state could be in excess of $125 million each year.
She directed attention to Senate Bill 220, which passed the
legislature in 2010, which required AHFC create a revolving loan
fund for energy efficiency improvements for public facilities.
This program is available for municipalities and school
districts, she said.
9:14:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KITO III directed attention to slide 4, to the
HERS and BEES standards. He related his understanding that the
Department of Education and Early Development (EED) has not
adopted the BEES standards, but the department has adopted
ASHRAE 90.1.
MR. ANDERSON answered that is correct. The BEES standards are
stringent, but the AHFC also accepts the ASHRAE 90.1 standard,
which has also been adopted by the DOT&PF and some other
agencies. In further response to a question, he agreed the
amendments to the BEES standards are Alaska specific.
9:15:18 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KITO III referred to slide [8] entitled "Overall
Energy Audit Recommendations." Referring to the recommendation
that the department appropriately size new buildings, he
commented that the EED's control over school construction is
based on the square footage allowed for the number of students.
The district doesn't have control over the student increases or
decreases, and fluctuating student population creates challenges
for districts. He suggested that the party paying the utility
bill is not in the school, which disconnects school personnel
from the costs since the administrator might not know the lights
were on all night in the facility. He suggested one way to
connect costs could be to include energy monitoring equipment in
the schools' common areas so the school principal, teachers,
students, and parents can view energy use, identify costs, and
try to reduce them. He asked for further clarification on the
applicability for the Leadership and Energy Efficiency Design
(LEED) standards outside of the urban centers and whether the
LEED standard could be a tool in Alaska to increase energy
efficiency.
MR. ANDERSON answered that LEED is a good process but it is
restricted to site and materials and there is a benefit to allow
that analysis; however, modeling is probably a better way to
obtain energy costs. He agreed using LEED as an up-front
process would be beneficial and something he supports.
9:19:02 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON noted energy standards are important but
all of the LEED standards may not make sense. He related a
scenario that illustrated the LEED process could still result in
inefficient energy when built in Alaska since the LEEDS process
balances other aspects, not just energy use.
CHAIR GATTIS commented that LEED has merits. She expressed
frustration over the system, primarily, noting that the state
spends hundreds of millions, that the intentions are often good;
however, efficiencies need to happen. She appreciated the
sponsor bringing this bill forward and she sees it as the next
step in saving money for schools.
9:22:06 AM
MS. SCHUBERT said HB 341 would make AHFC a consultant in the
process for developing schools. The AHFC understood that when
the revolving loan fund was created that it would take time to
implement. She acknowledged that AHFC has held good discussions
with the DOT&PF, in particular, as well as with other agencies.
REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON directed attention to the white paper,
entitled "A White Paper on Energy Use in Alaska's Public
Facilities. She highlighted that pages 7-22 provide targeted
recommendations. She said she will be certain to distribute
them to her district superintendents and city managers.
9:23:35 AM
MS. SCHUBERT encouraged members to visit the AHFC's website
[ahfc.us] that includes all of the audits performed in Alaska to
gain a better understanding of the potential in communities and
in schools.
MR. ANDERSON, regarding building monitoring, interjected that
the AHFC is currently working on its own facility and will
develop a software program that will be available to public
entities as an online resource that will assist agencies in
monitoring their own facilities.
9:25:58 AM
RYAN COLGAN, Chief Programs Officer, Cold Climate Housing
Research Center, first said Mr. Hebert apologizes for not being
present since he very much wanted to participate. He said that
tremendous potential to reduce energy costs in Alaska exists.
He explained the Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC) is
a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization formed by the Alaska State
Homebuilding Association (ASHBA) in 1999 to address the
challenges of building in Alaska's extreme environment through
applied research, policy research, design consulting and other
means. Alaskans tend to take on the challenges themselves and
not wait for others. The CCHRC does this through advanced
modeling, applied research, product testing, policy research,
and performs design and consulting and provides construction
mentoring services throughout the state. He characterized his
organization as being "problem solvers" who solve problems
through collaboration with stakeholders.
MR. COLGAN referred to a familiar image of a map of Alaska
superimposed on the Lower 48 [slide 1]. This image illustrates
how remote and diverse the communities of Alaska are, which is
important in terms of standards. He characterized the necessary
approach as being not focused on the "cookie cutter" but on the
cookie recipe. Another factor to consider in Alaska is the
logistics since it is difficult to get to construction sites in
many places [slide 2]. Additionally, the work itself can be
difficult due to the environmental conditions [slide 3].
9:30:46 AM
MR. COLGAN said one of Alaska's assets is that the state
consists of problem solvers, which is inherent in its people
[slide 4]. In fact, it is necessary to problem solve in order
to survive in parts of Alaska [slides 5-6]. Not only do animals
need to have problem solving skills, but people do, too, and
this slide illustrates the collaborative nature of problem
solving.
MR. COLGAN turned to slide 6, entitled "How does CCHRC Solve
Problems?" The CCHRC first seeks to understand the problem,
gathers information, and identifies solutions; basically this is
the research process. He showed some slides that illustrate the
types of problems encountered, including snow drifting, heat
loss, and mold and rot due to an aging building [slides 6-8].
MR. COLGAN said that CCHRC gathers information through peers,
those who have researched and found solutions, and through
advanced modeling, applied research, and demonstration or
applying what is known and observing it in the real world
[slides 9-11]. The CCHRC identifies solutions, such as
developing a number of wall systems to address the challenges of
constructing building envelopes to meet the environmental
challenges, logistical design or construction, and dealing with
water or wastewater [slides 12-13].
MR. COLGAN reported that CCHRC communicates with end users and
has about 50,000 hits per year on its website, 20,000 hits per
year on its blog for homeowners, and 200,000 views on the
website podcasts [slides 14-16]. He described the CCHRC's
facility as a 22,000 square feet building that represents the
farthest north platinum LEED building in the world [slide 18].
It represents what is possible and achievable with research and
smart application. He reviewed the problem solving approach
used by the CCHRC in the context of where the state is at [slide
19]. In terms of understanding the problem, the state
understands the challenges: high energy costs in some public
facilities and budget deficits create a long-term burden on the
state's budget. The state has gathered information through
benchmark information, investment grade audits, and a white
paper on public facilities. He recommended members read the
white paper, which he characterized as a very good document.
The state has identified solutions, through the AHFC's revolving
loan fund, holding conversations on standards, and many of its
stakeholders are already collaborating in various ways.
CHAIR GATTIS stated that public testimony would be kept open.
[HB 341 was held over.]