ARTICLE 21. ENERGY COST REDUCTION GUIDELINES.

§5-21-1. Definitions.

As used in this article:

(a) "ASHRAE" means the organization known as the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers.

(b) "Director" means the director of the Governor's office of economic and community development.

§5-21-2. Establishment of energy cost reduction guidelines; certification; training.

The director shall develop statewide energy cost reduction guidelines to be applicable to new and significantly renovated buildings for which a building permit is issued. In developing the guidelines, the director shall establish as the minimum criterion the ASHRAE 90-75 standard energy conservation in new building design.

Based on the state guidelines each local jurisdiction in the state having a building code shall require each permit application to be accompanied by sufficient information to determine that the energy conservation measures under the guidelines are met. A letter of certification from an architect or a registered professional engineer may provide adequate certification that the new construction or renovation is in compliance with the minimum criteria as established by the director.

The director shall provide training to local jurisdictions on the application of the state guidelines, which may include training programs developed by agencies of the federal government.

§5-21-3. Advisory commission.

To assist in the development and implementation of statewide energy guidelines under this article, the director shall appoint an advisory commission of seven members who shall serve without compensation. In appointing the commission, the director shall include representatives of building code enforcement agencies, the architectural and engineering professions, public utilities, the construction industry, legislative bodies of local units of government and the general public.

§5-21-4. Exemptions.

The following shall be exempt from compliance with the energy cost reduction guidelines developed under this article:

(a) Any type or class of building specifically made exempt by the local jurisdiction;

(b) Mobile homes;

(c) Any structure neither heated nor cooled, nor designed for human occupancy; and

(d) Any building specifically designated by a local jurisdiction as being of historical significance.

§5-21-5. Effective date of guidelines on permit applications.

The provisions of this article shall not apply to any application for a building permit made before January 1, 1981.