HB 2512 Summary

• Eliminates the variance exception for demand gas water heaters in the solar water heater mandate for new single-family homes, effective July 1, 2018.

• Reduces allowable variance grounds from four to two: (1) cost-prohibitiveness based on life cycle cost-benefit analysis with a maximum 15-year payback period, and (2) substitution with a renewable energy technology system.

• Requires grid-interactive or heat pump water heaters as replacements for solar systems when variances are granted on properties connected to the electric utility grid.

• Changes variance application timeline from 30 working days to 60 calendar days for approval, requires licensed architects or mechanical engineers to sign and demonstrate variance justification, and grants coordinators discretion to deny incomplete applications.

• Authorizes the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to impose fees and penalties for false attestations in variance applications, with revenues deposited into the energy security special fund.