Decentralized approach to codes means emissions reduction responsibility falls on local officials

Published by Building Design & Construction: While organizations such as the International Code Council set energy efficiency standards, in the U.S., state and local governments have the responsibility of adopting their own building codes. In Minnesota, for instance, a coalition of cities and environmentalists are advocating for policy that would shift commercial buildings to net-zero by 2036. New Buildings Institute (NBI) has submitted code proposals in that state to make new buildings electric-ready. NBI is also working on proposals for Wisconsin and Michigan.