42 U.S.C. § 17084. Separate spaces with high-performance energy efficiency measures

1. (a)
   (a)

   Definitions

   In this section:

   1. (1)
      (a)(1)

      High-performance energy efficiency measure

      The term “high-performance energy efficiency measure” means a technology, product, or practice that will result in substantial operational cost savings by reducing energy consumption and utility costs.
   2. (2)
      (a)(2)

      Separate spaces

      The term “separate spaces” means areas within a commercial building that are leased or otherwise occupied by a tenant or other occupant for a period of time pursuant to the terms of a written agreement.
2. (b)
   (b)

   Study

   1. (1)
      (b)(1)

      In general

      Not later than 1 year after April 30, 2015, the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, shall complete a study on the feasibility of—

      1. (A)
         (b)(1)(A)significantly improving energy efficiency in commercial buildings through the design and construction, by owners and tenants, of separate spaces with high-performance energy efficiency measures; and
      2. (B)
         (b)(1)(B)encouraging owners and tenants to implement high-performance energy efficiency measures in separate spaces.
   2. (2)
      (b)(2)

      Scope

      The study shall, at a minimum, include—

      1. (A)
         (b)(2)(A)

         descriptions of—

         1. (i)
            (b)(2)(A)(i)high-performance energy efficiency measures that should be considered as part of the initial design and construction of separate spaces;
         2. (ii)
            (b)(2)(A)(ii)processes that owners, tenants, architects, and engineers may replicate when designing and constructing separate spaces with high-performance energy efficiency measures;
         3. (iii)
            (b)(2)(A)(iii)policies and best practices to achieve reductions in energy intensities for lighting, plug loads, heating, cooling, cooking, laundry, and other systems to satisfy the needs of the commercial building tenant;
         4. (iv)
            (b)(2)(A)(iv)return on investment and payback analyses of the incremental cost and projected energy savings of the proposed set of high-performance energy efficiency measures, including consideration of available incentives;
         5. (v)
            (b)(2)(A)(v)models and simulation methods that predict the quantity of energy used by separate spaces with high-performance energy efficiency measures and that compare that predicted quantity to the quantity of energy used by separate spaces without high-performance energy efficiency measures but that otherwise comply with applicable building code requirements;
         6. (vi)
            (b)(2)(A)(vi)measurement and verification platforms demonstrating actual energy use of high-performance energy efficiency measures installed in separate spaces, and whether such measures generate the savings intended in the initial design and construction of the separate spaces;
         7. (vii)
            (b)(2)(A)(vii)best practices that encourage an integrated approach to designing and constructing separate spaces to perform at optimum energy efficiency in conjunction with the central systems of a commercial building; and
         8. (viii)
            (b)(2)(A)(viii)any impact on employment resulting from the design and construction of separate spaces with high-performance energy efficiency measures; and
      2. (B)
         (b)(2)(B)case studies reporting economic and energy savings returns in the design and construction of separate spaces with high-performance energy efficiency measures.
   3. (3)
      (b)(3)

      Public participation

      Not later than 90 days after April 30, 2015, the Secretary shall publish a notice in the Federal Register requesting public comments regarding effective methods, measures, and practices for the design and construction of separate spaces with high-performance energy efficiency measures.
   4. (4)
      (b)(4)

      Publication

      The Secretary shall publish the study on the website of the Department of Energy.