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
| Apr 13, 2012
CSI webinar: Green Construction Codes Are Here -- Now What?
This seminar will trace the origins of green codes, how they compare and differ from the rating systems that have been used, and examine some of their main features.
| Apr 5, 2012
Retailers, banks among most affected by new ADA rules
On March 15, the most significant changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) since it became law in 1991 went into effect.
| Apr 5, 2012
Florida ranks first in hurricane building codes and enforcement
Florida ranks highest among 18 hurricane-region states for building codes and their enforcement, according to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety.
| Apr 5, 2012
New IgCC green building code is a ‘game changer,’ AIA official says
An AIA official calls the new International Green Construction Code (IgCC) a “game changer” for sustainable construction.
| Apr 5, 2012
Model energy codes add thousands to cost of new apartment construction, study says
New energy codes could add thousands of dollars to the construction costs of each individual apartment residence in a multifamily building, according to new research commissioned by the National Multi-Housing Council and the National Apartment Association.
| Apr 5, 2012
LEED 2012 will include new requirements for data centers
The U.S. Green Building Council’s updated LEED 2012 standards will require two systems to be modeled for each project in order to show power utilization effectiveness.
| Mar 30, 2012
CSI webinar: Durable & energy efficient building envelope design, April 24
This seminar will review recent changes in North America energy codes, examples of building enclosure wall assemblies being considered for code compliance, potential moisture management and durability challenges, and design tools that could be used to assess and minimize potential problems.
| Mar 30, 2012
Improved construction that followed seismic codes helped avert loss of life in Mexico temblor
A magnitude-7.4 earthquake that shook Mexico from Mexico City to Acapulco damaged hundreds of homes and sent thousands fleeing from swaying office buildings, yet no one was killed, according to early reports.
