Overhaul of building energy code deals setback to gas ban backers

Published by S&P Global: The council responsible for developing model building codes overhauled its process for setting minimum energy efficiency requirements, blocking a pathway that local governments have used to secure decarbonization measures like building electrification and electric vehicle charging. The decision drew swift criticism from environmentalists, some local governments and Democratic leaders, who called the move a sign of the influence of building developers and the gas industry within the council, the International Code Council Inc., or ICC. The move came after municipal governments and green groups organized in 2019 to secure ambitious updates to the 2021 IECC update through the voting process. The proposals that passed with support of the coalition would produce at least 10% efficiency improvement in buildings from the previous code, representing the second biggest efficiency gain over the prior 10 years, according to the New Buildings Institute.