Building Codes Assistance Project

On April 14, Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe signed Act No. 1494 into law. It promotes the conservation of energy and natural resources in buildings owned by the state or institutions of higher education. It establishes performance criteria and goals for sustainable and energy-efficient new and majorly renovated public buildings based on ASHRAE 90.1-2007. Buildings must be designed, constructed and certified to at least 10% reduction below the baseline energy consumption determined with the performance rating method of Appendix G of ASHRAE 90.1-2007.

The law requires measurement and verification of building performance to ensure design requirements are met upon completion of the building. It also stipulates that metered data from the first twelve months of the buildings operation be compared with the energy design target and reported to the Arkansas Energy Office or to the governing board of the higher education institution. If the report shows the energy or water consumption at the one-year period is more than the baseline consumption established in ASHRAE 90.1-2007, an investigation will take place. The investigation will determine the cause of failure and recommend corrections to meet the performance standard.

However, it allows the Arkansas Energy Office or the higher education institution the option of using a practicable alternative standard if either entity determines that 90.1-2007 is not practicable.

Arkansas Act No. 1494: Text | Bill History

BCAP Arkansas Code Status page