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An Act To Ensure the Use of Environmentally Responsible Insulation Materials in Taxpayer-funded Building Projects
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  5 MRSA §1762-B  is enacted to read:
§ 1762-B. Insulation with a low global-warming potential for state-funded projects
 
1.  Definitions.     As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
 
A.  "Global-warming potential" means the measure of relative radiative effect of a gas compared with that of carbon dioxide integrated over a 100-year time horizon as calculated in accordance with the method specified in Chapter 6 of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Potential's 2001 Third Assessment Report.
 
B.  "Substantial renovations" means any renovation for which the cost exceeds 50% of the building's current value prior to renovation.
 
2.  Insulation for state-funded construction projects.     After October 1, 2016, the following entities must install, or fund the installation of, insulation with a global-warming potential of 10 or less for state-funded new construction or substantial renovations. Any building constructed or substantially renovated that will be leased or is leased to the following entities must be constructed with insulation with a global-warming potential of 10 or less.
 
A.  School administrative units;
 
B.  The Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of General Services, Division of Purchases;
 
C.  The University of Maine System;
 
D.  The Maine Community College System;
 
E.  The Maine Maritime Academy;
 
F.  The Maine State Housing Authority; and
 
G.  The Efficiency Maine Trust under Title 35-A, chapter 97.
 
SUMMARY
This bill requires the use of insulation with a low global-warming potential for all state-funded new building construction and substantial renovations of existing buildings. This bill also specifies that school administrative units, the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of General Services, Division of Purchases, University of Maine System, Maine Community College System, the Maine State Housing Authority and the Efficiency Maine Trust must use or require to be used low global-warming potential insulation in any state-funded new building construction or substantial renovation, or any building constructed for the purpose of leasing, or the substantial renovation of a leased building.