Assembly member Ward Introduces AB 368 to Advance Passive House Standards for More Cost-Effective Energy Efficiency

This is something we need to get onboard and get behind because it can mean significant grants for us.

"Passive House standards reduce emissions, lower energy costs, and create healthier, more resilient buildings," said Assemblymember Ward. "By offering developers an alternative compliance pathway, we’re making it easier and more affordable to build sustainable homes and strengthen our communities."

PH standards are increasingly recognized by environmental and design professionals as superior standards, which focus on airtight construction and efficient ventilation, cutting heating and cooling energy use by up to 50%. States like New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania have already integrated these standards, demonstrating their effectiveness in cutting emissions and improving indoor air quality. In addition to energy savings, PH buildings are more resistant to pollution, wildfire smoke, and extreme temperatures. Their design—fewer vents, better insulation, and air filtration—also enhances fire resilience by reducing ember intrusion.

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PH standards are increasingly recognized by environmental and design professionals as superior standards, which focus on airtight construction and efficient ventilation, cutting heating and cooling energy use by up to 50%. States like New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania have already integrated these standards, demonstrating their effectiveness in cutting emissions and improving indoor air quality. In addition to energy savings, PH buildings are more resistant to pollution, wildfire smoke, and extreme temperatures. Their design—fewer vents, better insulation, and air filtration—also enhances fire resilience by reducing ember intrusion.

https://a78.asmdc.org/press-releases/20250204-assemblymember-ward-introduces-ab-368-advance-passive-house-standards-more

The Bill's language is here.

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/home.xhtml

RE: AB 368 (Ward) – [organization] – SUPPORT
Dear Assemblyman Ward,

[Person/Organization] is pleased to support your bill AB 368, a bill that seeks to improve building standards in one key way: adding an optional state-wide certification procedure for achieving high comfort and high performance standards.

Specifically, we support certified Passive House standards as an alternative compliance pathway to existing Title 24 energy efficiency standards.  The Passive House standard is well-tested world-wide.  Moreover its high standard will abjure future building performance upgrades needed for responding to extreme weather.  Passive Houses are allergen-free, smoke-tight, and fire-resistant.  Amenities include high indoor air quality, heat resilience, outdoor noise mitigation, much-decreased greenhouse gas emissions, and lower utility bill payments for occupants.

With construction costs at all-time highs, California’s code entities should look for efficiencies and cost-savings that preserve health and safety while also noting that the shortage of affordable housing requires creative and innovative solutions. AB 368 recognizes that lowering power bills is a significant step toward achieving affordability for building owners and tenants.  At the same time, by recognizing this alternative permitting pathway, the bill eliminates redundant regulatory costs now incurred by developers erecting high performance buildings, yielding another cost-savings.

For the above reasons, [organization] supports AB 368. 

Sincerely,

[signature]

Please send a letter to your State Representative and Assembly.

"... we’re seeking implementation of a pathway to Passive House as soon as possible, especially in view of the LA fires ... We also need to show backing for the bill now, since legislation showing early support garners more attention and then by feedback raises extra muscle for it in the legislature."

"Beneath this introductory letter is a template letter to Chris Ward.  Copy it, fill in your details (replace the yellow highlighted text), add any edits you wish to make, and (if you have one) print it on your letterhead.  Send your letter-of-support in PDF format to the point-of-contact in Chris Ward’s office: Silverio Rizo Llamas  silverio.RizoLlamas@asm.ca.gov"