California Public Utilities Commission and Energy Commission
Innovation:
Zero net energy plan.
Vision:
California’s the first state to recognize a need for homes that produce as much energy as they consume. The commission adopted the aspirational goals that all new residential construction in California will be zero net energy by 2020.
Economics:
The impending requirement has ushered in a new era of innovation in energy-efficient building design and in cost analysis to make the requirement cost-effective for home buyers.