Category: Energy Codes and Policy
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...
Improved Building Energy Model Code Challenged
Post / March 12, 2020 / Energy Codes
Update: See final result Better building codes mean lower energy bills, which results in lower costs for consumers and fewer carbon emissions for the planet. Sounds like a winning combination, right? That’s why we were delighted when the initial results...
2019 was the Year of Energy Codes and a Big Year for Efficiency
Post / January 7, 2020
At the beginning of last year, we predicted that 2019 would be a big year for building energy codes, and the results are extremely promising for states—and cities which control their own energy codes–that are working to achieve climate action...
Local Governments Vote Resoundingly for Improved National Energy Codes
Post / December 20, 2019
Preliminary voting results on the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) are in! The outcome of over a year of effort to update the national model energy code was released yesterday and is estimated to bring at least 10% better...
Before December 6, Vote for Efficiency in the 2021 IECC
Post / November 20, 2019
After a lengthy stakeholder process, including recent public comment hearings in Las Vegas, registered voting members of the International Code Council (ICC) are now invited to weigh in on the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) proposals. Updated every three...