EMP Energy Management Policies & Regulatory Compliance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A company operating in a state with a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) must comply by doing which of the following?
- Installing on-site solar panels at all facilities
- Ensuring a specified percentage of electricity comes from renewable sources (Correct answer)
- Reporting annual carbon emissions to state regulators
- Purchasing RECs equal to 100% of electricity consumption
Correct answer: Ensuring a specified percentage of electricity comes from renewable sources
An RPS mandates that a specified percentage of a utility's or load-serving entity's electricity sales come from eligible renewable energy sources.
Question 2: In the context of energy regulatory compliance, what does 'demand response' refer to?
- A utility's plan to build new generation capacity during peak periods
- Voluntary or incentive-based reduction of electricity use during grid stress events (Correct answer)
- A regulation requiring industrial facilities to shift production to off-peak hours
- Automatic curtailment of power by utilities during emergencies
Correct answer: Voluntary or incentive-based reduction of electricity use during grid stress events
Demand response programs incentivize customers to reduce or shift electricity use during peak demand periods to maintain grid reliability.
Question 3: Which framework requires large commercial buildings in New York City to benchmark energy performance and face penalties for poor performance?
- ASHRAE Standard 90.1
- Local Law 97 (Correct answer)
- Energy Star Portfolio Manager
- EISA 2007
Correct answer: Local Law 97
NYC Local Law 97, enacted in 2019 as part of the Climate Mobilization Act, sets carbon intensity limits for large buildings with escalating fines for non-compliance.
Question 4: The 'Plan-Do-Check-Act' (PDCA) cycle in ISO 50001 corresponds most directly to which energy management activity during the 'Check' phase?
- Setting energy objectives and targets
- Implementing energy efficiency projects
- Monitoring, measuring, and analyzing energy performance (Correct answer)
- Conducting management review meetings
Correct answer: Monitoring, measuring, and analyzing energy performance
The 'Check' phase of PDCA in ISO 50001 involves monitoring, measurement, analysis, and evaluation of energy performance against objectives.
Question 5: Under the EPA's ENERGY STAR program, what score must a building achieve to earn ENERGY STAR certification?
- 70 or higher
- 75 or higher (Correct answer)
- 80 or higher
- 65 or higher
Correct answer: 75 or higher
Buildings must score 75 or higher on the EPA's 1-100 ENERGY STAR scale, indicating they perform better than at least 75% of similar buildings nationwide.
Question 6: Which provision of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005) specifically addressed energy efficiency in federal buildings?
- Requirement to purchase only ENERGY STAR products
- Mandate to reduce energy use per square foot by 2% annually through 2015 (Correct answer)
- Requirement to install smart meters at all federal facilities
- Mandate to conduct ASHRAE Level II audits every 5 years
Correct answer: Mandate to reduce energy use per square foot by 2% annually through 2015
EPAct 2005 required federal agencies to reduce energy use per gross square foot by 2% per year through FY 2015, totaling a 20% reduction.
Question 7: A facility subject to EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (40 CFR Part 98) must report if it exceeds which annual threshold?
- 10,000 metric tons CO2e
- 25,000 metric tons CO2e (Correct answer)
- 50,000 metric tons CO2e
- 100,000 metric tons CO2e
Correct answer: 25,000 metric tons CO2e
Facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons or more of CO2-equivalent per year must report to the EPA's GHGRP under 40 CFR Part 98.
EMP Energy Management Policies & Regulatory Compliance 3
A company operating in a state with a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) must comply by doing which of the following?