The International Code Council stripped out provisions from the 2024 update to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) that would have included beefed up circuitry for hooking up electric appliances and car chargers.
The update would have made it more economical for building owners to install solar panels, induction stoves, and heat pumps. Instead, if a building is constructed to the code’s watered-down standards, the owner faces a costly upgrade to electrify the property.
The ICC’s appeals board had rejected challenges by the natural gas industry to the proposed electrification provisions. But, the ICC’s board of directors, which typically goes along with its appeals board’s recommendations, overruled the decision. Although the building electrification components will be included in the optional appendix section of the codebook, widespread adoption of more robust circuitry is unlikely without a mandate.
The ICC board has received sharp criticism from energy efficiency advocates for its action, with some accusing the board of allowing fossil fuel interests too much sway in the code development process.
Related Stories
| Nov 14, 2013
ISO, FLASH team up to promote stronger building codes
ISO has joined the national nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) to encourage communities to build disaster-resistant buildings that can withstand hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and other catastrophic events.
| Nov 6, 2013
Cost to small businesses from silica rule is raised by progressive group
The silica-dust rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration could put small businesses at a disadvantage on the cost of complying with the mandate, according to the Center for Progressive Reform.
| Nov 6, 2013
Uneven snow load concern prompts structural study of Minnesota college auditorium roof
The roof of the Memorial Auditorium of Concordia College in Minnesota will undergo a complete structural analysis because it was built to 1946 codes and may not be able to accommodate uneven snow loads.
| Nov 6, 2013
Dallas’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2030 advances with second phase of green codes
Dallas stands out as one of the few large cities that is enforcing a green building code, with the city aiming to be carbon neutral by 2030.
| Nov 6, 2013
Task force to examine resiliency in the face of climate change
President Barack Obama recently signed an executive order related to climate change and disaster-management efforts during severe weather events and other disasters.
| Nov 6, 2013
USGBC Northern California chapter focuses on improving indoor environments in green buildings
The Northern California branch of the U.S. Green Building Council is leading the “Building Health Initiative” that seeks to improve the indoor environment of green buildings.
| Oct 31, 2013
OSHA enacts 47-day extension for comment period on silica-exposure rule
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has extended the public comment period on its silica-dust exposure rule by 47 days.
| Oct 31, 2013
Updates to California’s building codes take effect Jan. 1
Green-building and accessibility are the major themes of the 2013 updates to California’s construction codes that are set to take effect Jan. 1.
| Oct 31, 2013
IECC code updates include better lighting controls and new HVAC technology
The proposed new code will increase the mandatory installation of occupancy sensors and daylighting controls to many new types of spaces.
| Oct 31, 2013
Effects of green, white roofs to be compared at Walmart in Oregon
Portland State University will construct a 40,000 sf green roof research site on the top of a new Walmart store in North Portland, Ore., and compare it to a 52,000 sf section of roof with a white membrane.
