Category: Energy Codes and Policy
Energy Security is National Security—Now Is the Time to Act
Post / March 6, 2026
The latest escalation in tensions with Iran is already sending shockwaves through global energy markets. Oil prices are rising, gas prices are following, and uncertainty is spreading across supply chains and economies. As we follow the war and hope for a quick de-escalation, the pending energy...
Exploring Pathways to Zero: NBI and Phius Partner to Expand the Getting to Zero Buildings Database
Post / February 4, 2026
At NBI, we are dedicated to advancing and tracking the leading edge of best practices for the built environment. Our Getting to Zero Buildings Database is a resource for the industry, cataloging verified and emerging zero energy projects across North America. Today, we are proud to announce an expansion of this resource...
When Winter Storms Hit, Energy Resilience Matters
Post / January 26, 2026
Beginning on Saturday, January 24, 2026, a major winter storm struck several regions of the country, impacting nearly half of the U.S. population. Like many others, I closely followed the forecasts starting Thursday, worrying about potential power outages and their cascading impacts. By Saturday evening, reports of service disruptions, emergency responses, and distress among households and communities began to emerge. I repeatedly checked the power outage map and was...
The International Code Council Publishes the Draft Scope & Intent for the 2030 International Energy Conservation Code Development Cycle
Post / January 20, 2026 / Energy Codes
On January 15 the International Code Council (ICC) Board published the draft 2030 IECC (International Energy Conservation Code) Scope & Intent, including the cost benefit analysis approach. The draft Scope & Intent outlines what will be considered within scope for the...
A New Partnership to Support Schools
Post / January 16, 2026
Over the past decade, New Buildings Institute (NBI) and the Center for Green Schools (CfGS) have collaborated through independent programs to provide K-12 schools across the U.S. with technical assistance, in-person events, and virtual learning opportunities. These two organizations are excited to combine their efforts in 2026 to officially partner on an HVAC Change Lab, an innovative approach to support school districts in improving their operations. The HVAC Change Lab is a...
Taking Action: How to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Commercial Buildings
Post / October 10, 2025
photo courtesy of IWBI At the IWBI Healthy Building Policy Summit in Washington, DC, hosted by IWBI and Georgetown University, I had the privilege of having an in-depth conversation on healthy building policies with public health, building technology, and standards...
Impacts Of Energy And Construction Codes On Health Outcomes
Post / February 7, 2025
On January 15, 2026, NBI issued a correction that addressed updates to the criteria pollutant intensity factors for fuel combustion. Expanded Role of Energy Codes Since their emergence in the aftermath of the 1970s energy crisis, energy codes have primarily focused on energy efficiency,...
In Fond Memory of Our Friend, David Hewitt
Post / May 15, 2024
Last week, experts from across the country gathered in California at the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2024 National Energy Codes Conference. At this conference, they discussed strategies to drive the advancement and adoption of building codes that support a healthy,...
Using Policy and Code to Help Cities Most Impacted by Urban Heat Islands
Post / January 18, 2023
During the summer of 2022, there were more than 7,000 record-breaking daily temperatures reported across the U.S., according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Dangerously high temperatures in the U.S. impacted more than 40 million people,...
Embodied Carbon Draws Increased Attention from the Building Sector
Post / November 10, 2022
Over the past 15 years, many jurisdictions have reduced operational emissions in buildings through policies focused on energy efficiency, resulting in lower energy bills, better indoor air quality, and increased comfort. As the carbon emissions associated with operating buildings continues...
Make your voice heard: Comment on the Residential 2024 IECC update
Post / October 29, 2022
The 2024 draft Residential International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) is now out for public comment. The provisions in the 2024 code will build on the energy efficiency advancements made in the 2021 code cycle and introduce key provisions to address...
Advance climate action by getting involved now in the commercial 2024 IECC update
Post / September 7, 2022
With buildings currently representing 39% of U.S. carbon emissions, leading jurisdictions recognize the importance of using building codes and performance policies to respond to the effects of climate change and reduce future risks. To keep temperature rise below 1.5 degrees...
New Zero Emissions Buildings Policy helps jurisdictions lead by example
Post / May 17, 2022
With building construction and operations making up nearly 40% of U.S. carbon emissions, many jurisdictions have made reducing emissions from the built environment a top strategy for meeting climate action goals. The new Model Government Zero Emissions Buildings Policy released...
Future-ready buildings: increase asset value and reduce real estate investment risks by preparing for building performance standards now
Post / April 18, 2022
New construction codes have been driving toward net zero performance in jurisdictions around the country but building performance standards (BPS) with similar aims are emerging for existing buildings. Building performance standards are state and local laws that require existing buildings...
New study on electrification costs shows benefits to building owners and society
Post / April 14, 2022
Building electrification and decarbonization policies are being discussed by cities and states as well as in boardrooms across the country. Just last month, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission revealed a much-anticipated proposal to require public companies to disclose certain...
2024 IECC proposals address energy use in budding industry
Post / February 14, 2022
With the rapid growth of new indoor agriculture facilities growing vegetables, cannabis and other plants, the increased demand for energy and carbon intensive lighting and dehumidification for plant growth has skyrocketed. Lighting can consume between 50-70% of an indoor grow...
Proposals to drastically cut GHG delivered to IECC committees
Post / October 13, 2021
This week, New Buildings Institute (NBI) submitted code change proposals to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) residential and commercial development committees. These proposals have the potential to drastically reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the building sector and help...
Empowering Communities to Accelerate Distributed Energy Resources
Post / August 10, 2021
In many parts of the United States, navigating the building permits required for distributed energy resources such as solar, storage, and electric vehicles (EVs) can be a daunting process. Many communities have burdensome requirements for installing such technologies and/or lack...
Codes for Loads – Making Our Buildings Work with Renewable Power Grids
Post / July 22, 2021
Thirty states and the District of Columbia have adopted Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS), policies that require or set goals for all energy supply to be renewable by a chosen date mostly within the next two decades. The Biden Administration earlier...
The Future of Building Decarbonization Starts Now
Post / July 8, 2021
With buildings currently representing 39% of U.S. carbon emissions from operational and embodied sources, jurisdictions look toward advanced building codes and policies as critical and urgent strategies for meeting their climate goals. Despite overwhelming support from public bodies, recent efforts...
Checking in on State Energy Code Progress Toward Zero Energy
Post / April 14, 2021
ACEEE’s 2020 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard was released in December with California reclaiming the number one spot from Massachusetts. This is based on five categories including utility and public benefits, transportation, building energy efficiency, state initiatives, and appliance standards, according...
Stretch Codes: A Key Tool on the Path to Carbon Neutral Buildings
Post / December 16, 2020
Adopting energy codes that go beyond the base, or required minimum code, is proving to be an effective way to achieve energy savings and reduce carbon emission from the built environment. We have long been hearing about states such as...
The New Residential Zero Energy Appendix: An Important Addition for Code Adoption
Post / December 8, 2020
For the first time, the new 2021 update of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), which is anticipated to be released in the next few weeks, includes a Zero Energy Home Appendix that provides cities and states with ready-made code...
Reduce Carbon in Existing Buildings and Put America Back to Work
Post / October 28, 2020
We all know too well of the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. These impacts are compounded by increasingly destructive wildfires, hurricanes, and flooding – so much so that nearly two-thirds of Americans – including more than half...
The 2021 IECC’s circuitous path to conclusion
Post / October 12, 2020
It’s been one year, eight months, 28 days since proposals were due into the International Code Council’s (ICC) system for consideration into the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). That doesn’t include the time proponents spent considering and drafting proposals...
Implementing Building Performance Standards: Consistency is Key
Post / September 29, 2020
A building performance standard (BPS) provides a powerful solution for cities working to meet climate goals, achieve energy savings and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As a forward-looking policy for existing buildings, a BPS commits a city or state to...
Does the changing policy landscape pit efficiency against renewables?
Post / September 24, 2020
With cities and states pursing renewable portfolio standards and national calls to decarbonize the grid by 2035, does efficiency still matter with a clean grid? The first answer: yes, energy efficiency benefits are, as they have been for decades, delivering...
2021 Energy Code Progress Challenged: Climate and Affordability Stand to Lose Unless We Speak Up
Post / July 28, 2020
Update: See final result In December 2019, more than 1,000 government representatives from cities and states across the U.S. did something remarkable when they voted to improve the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) by 10%. Since buildings account for...
Delivering Climate Solutions From Existing Buildings: No Time to Waste
Post / July 13, 2020
With buildings accounting for up to 75% of carbon emissions in U.S. cities, addressing carbon emissions from the built environment is essential to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and limit the rise in global average temperature to below...
Finalizing the 2021 IECC takes the next step forward
Post / June 29, 2020
The 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) development process has officially entered an appeals phase and we wanted to share an update. With the International Code Council’s (ICC) release of the Final Action Results in early April, six appeals were...