The California Energy Commission (CEC) has called for the state to increase efficiency standards for new construction to net-zero energy consumption. In it's biannual Integrated Energy Policy Report for 2007, the CEC recommended that California, “Increase the efficiency standards for buildings such that, when combined with on-site generation, newly constructed buildings can be net zero energy by 2020 for residences and 2030 for commercial buildings.”

Among its other recommendations, the CEC report said the state should pursue legislation to require energy audits and “a cost-effective level of efficiency improvements” at the time of sale of a building; and that it should impose new standards on appliances and lighting: “Enact appliance standards to improve the efficiency of appliances sold in California, including standards to increase the efficacy of general service lighting.”

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