Tex. Gov't Code Section 2166.403
Alternative Energy and Energy-efficient Architectural and Engineering Design in New Building Construction


(a)

This section applies to the construction of a new state building, including a building construction project otherwise exempt from this chapter under Section 2166.003 (Exceptions).

(b)

Except as provided by Subsection (c-1), during the planning phase of the proposed construction, the commission, or the governing body of the appropriate agency that is undertaking a project otherwise exempt from this chapter under Section 2166.003 (Exceptions), must present a detailed written evaluation at an open meeting to verify the economic feasibility of:

(1)

using energy-efficient architectural or engineering design alternatives; or

(2)

incorporating into the building’s design and proposed energy system alternative energy devices for space heating and cooling, water heating, electrical loads, and interior lighting.

(b-1)

A detailed written evaluation under Subsection (b) must be made available to the public at least 30 days before the open meeting at which it is presented.

(b-2)

In each detailed written evaluation under Subsection (b), the commission or governing body shall determine economic feasibility for each function by comparing the estimated cost of providing energy for all or part of the function using conventional design practices and energy systems or operating under conventional architectural or engineering designs with the estimated cost of providing energy for all or part of the function using alternative energy devices or operating under alternative energy-efficient architectural or engineering designs during the economic life of the building. The comptroller’s state energy conservation office, or its successor, must approve any methodology or electronic software used by the commission or governing body, or an entity contracting with the commission or governing body, to make a comparison or determine feasibility under this subsection.

(c)

If the use of alternative energy devices or energy-efficient architectural design alternatives for a particular function is determined to be economically feasible under Subsection (b-2), the commission or governing body shall include the use of alternative energy devices or energy-efficient architectural design alternatives for that function in the construction plans.

(c-1)

For a project constructed by and for a state institution of higher education, the institution shall, during the planning phase of the proposed construction for the project, verify the economic feasibility of incorporating into the building’s design and proposed energy system alternative energy devices for space heating and cooling functions, water heating functions, electrical load functions, and interior lighting functions. The institution shall determine the economic feasibility of each function listed in this subsection by comparing the estimated cost of providing energy for the function, based on the use of conventional design practices and energy systems, with the estimated cost of providing energy for the function, based on the use of alternative energy devices, during the economic life of the building.

(c-2)

If the use of alternative energy devices for a specific function is determined to be economically feasible under Subsection (c-1), the governing body shall include the use of alternative energy devices for that function in the construction plans for the project.

(d)

In this section:

(1)

“Alternative energy” means a renewable energy resource. The term includes solar energy, biomass energy, geothermal energy, and wind energy.

(2)

“Alternative energy collector” means an assembly, structure, or design, including passive elements, used to absorb, concentrate, convert, reflect, or otherwise capture or redirect alternative energy for later use as thermal, mechanical, or electrical energy.

(3)

“Alternative energy device” means an alternative energy collector or alternative energy storage mechanism that collects, stores, or distributes alternative energy.

(4)

“Alternative energy storage mechanism” means equipment, components, or elements designed and used to store for later use alternative energy captured by an alternative energy collector in the form in which the energy will eventually be used or in an intermediate form. The term includes thermal, electrochemical, chemical, electrical, and mechanical storage mechanisms.

(5)

“Biomass energy” means energy that is created in living plants through photosynthesis.

(6)

“Solar energy” means energy from the sun that may be collected and converted into useful thermal, mechanical, or electrical energy.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 41, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 856 (S.B. 982), Sec. 3, eff. June 17, 2005.
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 856 (S.B. 982), Sec. 4, eff. June 17, 2005.
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 856 (S.B. 982), Sec. 5, eff. June 17, 2005.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1049 (S.B. 5), Sec. 4.03, eff. June 17, 2011.

Source: Section 2166.403 — Alternative Energy and Energy-efficient Architectural and Engineering Design in New Building Construction, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.­2166.­htm#2166.­403 (accessed Jun. 5, 2024).

2166.001
Definitions
2166.002
Applicability of Chapter
2166.003
Exceptions
2166.004
Additional Exceptions
2166.005
Commission Participation in Other Building Projects
2166.006
Legal Representation of Commission
2166.007
Venue
2166.051
Administering Agency
2166.052
Acquisition and Disposition of Property
2166.053
Contract Authority
2166.054
Title to and Control of Buildings
2166.055
Eminent Domain
2166.056
Grant of Easement, Franchise, License, or Right-of-way
2166.057
Coordination of Multiagency Projects
2166.058
Assistance by Other Agencies
2166.059
Assignment of Commission Employee to Other Agency
2166.060
Site Selection and Construction in Texas Municipalities
2166.061
General Commission Oversight During Construction
2166.062
Rulemaking Authority
2166.063
Federal Requirements
2166.101
Compilation of Construction and Maintenance Information
2166.102
Long-range Plan for State Agency Space Needs
2166.103
Findings on Space Needs
2166.105
Capitol Complex Master Plan
2166.106
Review of Proposed Capitol Complex Master Plan by Partnership Advisory Commission
2166.107
Comprehensive Planning and Development Process
2166.108
Comprehensive Capital Improvement and Deferred Maintenance Plan
2166.151
Using Agency’s General Project Description
2166.152
Preparation of Project Analysis
2166.153
Contents of Project Analysis
2166.154
Use of Project Analysis or Cost Estimate in Appropriations Process
2166.155
Estimate of Project Costs in Lieu of Project Analysis
2166.156
Preparation of Preliminary and Working Plans and Specifications
2166.157
Accounting for Project Analysis Expenses
2166.202
Selection of Private Design Professional
2166.203
Interview Notification to Private Design Professional
2166.204
Using Agency Recommendations
2166.205
Compensation of Private Design Professional
2166.206
Information Furnished by State
2166.251
Legislative Authorizations and Appropriations
2166.252
Modifying Project to Conform to Appropriations
2166.253
Lowest and Best Bid Method
2166.254
Review of Certain Bids by Historical Commission
2166.255
Amount of Contract
2166.256
Acquisition of Items Not Furnished Under Construction Contract
2166.257
Contract Payment Administration
2166.258
Common Surety or Insurer
2166.259
Small Contractor Participation Assistance Program
2166.260
Approval of Certain Expenditures Required
2166.301
Exceptions
2166.302
Adoption of Conditions
2166.303
Uniform Trench Safety Conditions
2166.304
Pre-bid Conference
2166.305
Review of Uniform General Conditions
2166.351
Definitions
2166.352
Categories of Inspection
2166.353
Detailed Inspection
2166.354
General Inspection
2166.355
Professional Inspection
2166.356
Final Inspection
2166.401
Evaluation of Energy Alternatives
2166.402
Energy or Water Conservation Standards for Entities Otherwise Excluded from Chapter
2166.403
Alternative Energy and Energy-efficient Architectural and Engineering Design in New Building Construction
2166.404
Xeriscape on New Construction
2166.405
Xeriscape Phase-in
2166.406
Energy Savings Performance Contracts
2166.408
Evaluation of Architectural and Engineering Design Alternatives
2166.451
Acquisition of Historic Structures
2166.452
Acquisition of Existing Building as Alternative to New Construction
2166.453
Acquisition of Real Property as Alternative to Leasing Space
2166.454
Purchasing or Obtaining More Favorable Lease with Option to Purchase Agreements with Regard to Certain Leased Space
2166.501
Monuments and Memorials
2166.502
Contracts with Texas Historical Commission
2166.503
Acquisition of Archaeological, Paleontological, and Historic Sites
2166.551
Child Care Facility in State Building
2166.552
Fine Arts Projects
2166.553
Acquisition and Construction of Buildings for Health and Human Services Agencies
2166.554
Lease of Federal Property for Department of Public Safety
2166.1065
Review of Capitol Complex Master Plan by State Preservation Board and General Land Office
2166.2525
Determination of Contracting Method
2166.2551
Contract Notification
2166.4541
Entering into More Favorable Lease with Option to Purchase Agreements
2166.4542
Purchasing Certain Leased Space
2166.5011
Removal, Relocation, or Alteration of a Monument or Memorial

Accessed:
Jun. 5, 2024

§ 2166.403’s source at texas​.gov