The proposed 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) would be the most energy efficient code ever, but appeals may reduce the efficiency it promotes.
Several industry groups, including the National Association of Home Builders, the Leading Builders of America, the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute, the American Gas Association, and the American Public Gas Association, have appealed specific provisions of the proposed code. Among the code challenges are: electrification and electric vehicle readiness, water heating efficiency, and numerous other provisions.
“The sheer number of appeals is unprecedented—likely because the interest in a more efficient code is greater than ever before,” writes Lauren Urbanek, a Natural Resources Defense Council policy advocate. More than 20 efficiency proposals that were approved by the ICC process and that passed the governmental vote with a supermajority have been appealed.
ICC technical committees—which are dominated by industry representatives—had voted to reject the 20 proposals. But their recommendations were overturned by a two-thirds majority vote.
The final hearing was scheduled for September 14 to discuss the legitimacy of the vote. After hearings are completed, the full ICC Board of Directors was scheduled to weigh in on September 16.
Related Stories
| Jun 1, 2012
New BD+C University Course on Insulated Metal Panels available
By completing this course, you earn 1.0 HSW/SD AIA Learning Units.
| May 31, 2012
Proposed change in Michigan’s building code would hurt innovation, say critics
Legislation pending before the Michigan Senate would change the law that calls for building codes to be updated every three years to require an update only every six years.
| May 31, 2012
Natural gas industry opposes federal carbon-neutral construction rule
The natural gas industry and some allies are working to block a federal green building rule that was expected to be a national model for carbon-neutral construction.
| May 31, 2012
Lawsuits push the legal boundaries of green building definition
This article explores some legal issues stemming from lawsuits in which plaintiffs have charged developers with not delivering on a promised level of sustainability.
| May 31, 2012
ANSI approves Green Building Initiative’s design standard
The Green Building Initiative (GBI), a Portland, Ore. nonprofit organization, has had its new consensus-based standard for the design, construction, and operations of environmentally friendly buildings approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
| May 31, 2012
USGBC testing Minnesota buildings to see if they are living up to LEED standards
The Minnesota chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has teamed up with EnergyPrint, a St. Paul, Minn. energy consulting firm, to study the energy and water use of more than 150 buildings in the state that have LEED certification.
| May 29, 2012
Reconstruction Awards Entry Information
Download a PDF of the Entry Information at the bottom of this page.
| May 25, 2012
Major retail chains welcome LEED Volume option
Large national chains such as Starbucks, Marriott, Verizon, and Kohl’s are welcoming the LEED Volume Program that enables them to batch certify similar projects.
| May 25, 2012
Alaska’s okay of gravel aggregate with naturally occurring asbestos opens up development
Some long-delayed projects in the Upper Kobuk region of Alaska may now move forward thanks to legislation that allows construction in areas that have naturally occurring asbestos.
