Controlled environment horticulture space: thermal curtains.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details on costs for implementation, making this statement speculative and unsupported.

Thermal Curtains in Controlled Environment Horticulture Spaces

AB-2200 allows controlled environment horticulture spaces to use thermal curtains or similar technologies instead of double-pane windows if they are as energy efficient and approved by the Energy Commission.

What This Bill Does

• Allows controlled environment horticulture spaces with single-pane glass windows to use thermal curtains, shade cloths, or other equivalent technologies if these arrangements meet or exceed current energy efficiency standards set by the California Energy Code.
• Requires that this allowance remains in effect until the next update of the California Building Standards Code.
• Directs the California Building Standards Commission and the Department of Food and Agriculture to develop new building standards for controlled environment horticulture spaces, allowing them to use alternative technologies like thermal curtains or screens instead of double-pane windows.

Who It Names or Affects

• Controlled environment horticulture space owners and operators
• Local officials responsible for enforcing building standards

Terms To Know

controlled environment horticulture space

A place where plants are grown in a controlled indoor setting, like a greenhouse.

thermal curtains

Curtains or screens used to regulate temperature and reduce energy use by blocking heat transfer through windows.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify what happens if thermal curtains are less efficient than double-pane windows.
• Local officials may need additional training or resources to enforce the new standards.

Official Summary Text

AB 2200, as amended, Hart.
Controlled environment horticulture space: thermal curtains.
Existing law, the California Building Standards Law, establishes the California Building Standards Commission within the Department of General Services. Existing law requires the commission to approve and adopt building standards and to codify those standards in the California Building Standards Code. Existing law requires the commission to publish, or cause to be published, editions of the code in its entirety once every 3 years. Existing law requires the responsibility for the enforcement and administration of building standards to remain in the state or local agency, as specified.
This bill, notwithstanding any other law, would require a controlled environment horticulture space, as defined, that uses single-paned
glass
windows and
either thermal curtains, shade cloths, or equivalent technologies, to be considered compliant under the California Energy
Code.
Code, provided that the Energy Commission makes a finding that the arrangement is as, or more, energy efficient than current regulations.
The bill would require that provision to remain in effect until the next triennial update of the California Building Standards Code. The bill would also require the commission to, commencing with the next triennial edition of the California Building Standards Code and
in consultation with
after development of a standard by
the Energy
Commission and the Department of Food and Agriculture, develop and
Commission,
adopt building standards to allow controlled environmental horticulture spaces or conditioned greenhouses to use
alternative technologies, such as
thermal curtains, thermal screens, shade cloths, or equivalent technologies, in lieu of the requirements for double-paned
glass
windows or
two
2
or more glazings separated by either air or gas glazing. By increasing the duties of local officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The bill would include findings that changes proposed by
this bill address a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair and, therefore, apply to all cities, including charter cities.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF