While organizations such as the International Code Council set energy efficiency standards, in the U.S., state and local governments have the responsibility of adopting their own building codes.
This decentralized approach to code adoption means much of the work of reducing the carbon impact of buildings is occurring in statehouses and city halls. As a result, a growing group of clean energy and efficiency advocates are focusing on instituting local code amendments that improve on the model code.
In Minnesota, for instance, a coalition of cities and environmentalists are advocating for policy that would shift commercial buildings to net-zero by 2036. The New Buildings Institute (NBI) has submitted code proposals in that state to make new buildings electric-ready. NBI is also working on proposals for Wisconsin and Michigan.
New York, Seattle, and Massachusetts have strengthened building codes beyond the national standard, while lawmakers in nearly 20 states, including Wyoming, Iowa, and Colorado, have considered legislation that would prohibit bans on gas in new buildings. These developments indicate that the fight over energy efficiency code provisions is likely to heat up.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Feb 21, 2018
FEMA document provides simplified seismic design provisions for low-hazard regions
Forty four states have areas defined as low-hazard.
Codes and Standards | Feb 20, 2018
Federal budget includes disaster mitigation provisions
Bipartisan bill encourages states to adopt latest building codes.
Codes and Standards | Feb 19, 2018
Easy access to indoor environment controls yields improved efficiency and workplace productivity
JLL/Purdue University project is developing algorithms to improve indoor comfort.
Codes and Standards | Feb 14, 2018
After Energy Star stopped certifying medical properties, a REIT developed its own certification
Welltower uses internal system to evaluate total building performance.
Codes and Standards | Feb 13, 2018
Rezoning, innovative investor enabling development of a “metroburb” in New Jersey
Indoor mixed-use “Main Street” blossoms in giant former Bell Labs building.
Codes and Standards | Feb 12, 2018
Publication provides insight into managing risk of wind-borne debris damage
Explains how models and data are used to assess the risk of structural damage.
Codes and Standards | Feb 8, 2018
EPA’s Water of the U.S. rule delayed for two years while repeal sought
Controversial Obama-era regulation may never be implemented.
Codes and Standards | Feb 5, 2018
Astrophysicist turns his skills toward identifying and predicting location of vacant buildings
Project could help Baltimore and other cities redevelop blighted properties.
Codes and Standards | Feb 5, 2018
Denver’s new green roof mandate raises implementation policies
Voter initiative left many details undecided.
Codes and Standards | Feb 2, 2018
How workplace design can position financial services companies for success
HOK report examines forces reshaping industry.