Any public utility entering into a contract under a plan for the establishment of a prototype residential energy efficiency program approved under section
8235a
(a) of this title shall not be required to carry out, with respect to any residential building located in the portion of the utility’s service area designated in the contract, the actions required to be contained in such utility’s program by subsections (a) and (b) of section
8216 of this title, if the contract requires such actions (or equivalent actions as determined by the Secretary) to be taken.