Chapter 05 - Energy Efficiency
26.0501 Energy efficiency need and policy.
Because of the total dependence of the Territory of American Samoa on imported oil and the increasing cost-impact of this dependence, there exists a serious need to develop alternate energy sources and at the same time to embark upon a concerted effort to reduce waste in the consumption of energy. Major public and private facilities have been shown to have a significant-impact on our territory’s consumption of energy. The cost of the energy consumed by such facilities has been substantial and is expected to continue its upward spiral. Therefore, energy conservation practices will be adopted for the design, construction, and utilization of such facilities to realize significant reduction in energy use and energy cost, while maintaining efficient operation and services.
The purpose of this chapter is to require the inclusion of energy efficiency standards in building codes.
26.0502 Authority.
The rules codified in this chapter are adopted under the authority of Section 6 of Article IV of the Revised Constitution of American Samoa.
26.0503 Federal mandate.
The rules codified in this chapter are adopted in order to comply with the Federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act, PL 94-163.
26.0504 ASHRAE efficiency standard adopted.
The lighting, equipment, and thermal efficiency standards developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, Air Conditioning Engineers, Inc., known as ASHRAE standard 90-75, are adopted and shall be construed as part of the building code as adopted by 26.0501 A.S.C.A., and such other building codes as may be adopted in the territory. These lighting, equipment, and thermal efficiency standards shall be applied to the design and construction of new public buildings. Thermal efficiency standards shall be applied to any modifications of existing or new public buildings, except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter. These standards shall have the full force and effect of law.
26.0505 Exemptions – Lighting-efficiency applicability.
Exemptions to scope of the standards provided for in 26.0504 are as follows:
(a) New buildings and/or modifications there or whose peak design rate of energy usage is less than 1 watt per square foot of floor area for all purposes; and
(b) Those buildings which are not mechanically cooled;
(c) Requirements for heated buildings;
(d) Any historical building or property eligible for, nominated to, or entered on the national register of historical places pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, PL 89-665, or the American Samoa register of historic places; The lighting efficiency standards shall apply to all public buildings with over 10,000 square feet of floor space whose rate of energy usage is greater than 2.5 watts per square foot.
26.0506 Compliance of plans or specifications.
No official of the ASG who is charged with the enforcement of laws or ordinances relating to the construction or alteration of buildings or structures, shall approve any plans or specifications that incorporate design and construction details and standards for cooling systems for new construction, renovations, or additions to existing structures that are less stringent than the energy efficiency building standards adopted by this chapter.
26.0507 Certification of compliance.
When applications are made for building or construction permits, certification of compliance with the energy efficiency building standards where cooling systems are included shall be evidenced by the written statement, “These plans comply with current energy conservation standards for construction,” placed on, or annexed to, all plans and specifications in connection therewith, together with the authorized seal of United States registered engineer holding an unexpired certificate indicating that he is qualified in the mechanical branch unless the building or structure for which the plans or specifications are submitted is under 26.0505.