BUILDING CODES
& ENERGY EFFICIENCY:
WYOMING
B
uildings account for roughly 40 percent of the
total energy use in the United States and 70
percent of our electricity use, representing a
significant opportunity for energy savings. Energy
efficiency—through the adoption and enforcement of
strong building energy codes—is the quickest, cheap-
est, and cleanest way to reduce energy consumption
and achieve a sustainable and prosperous future. For
the state of Wyoming, the next step should be the
adoption of the U.S. model energy codes, the 2009
International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
and ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007.
In February 2009, the American Recovery and Rein-
vestment Act (Recovery Act) – the federal stimulus
legislation appropriating funds for a variety of state
initiatives – allocated $3.1 billion for the U.S. Depart-
ment of Energy’s State Energy Program (SEP) to as-
sist states with building energy efficiency efforts. As
one of the conditions to receive this funding, Wyo-
ming is required to implement energy standards of
equal or greater stringency than the latest national
model codes—the 2009 edition of the IECC and Stan-
dard 90.1-2007.
Having already received $12.5 million1 in federal SEP
funding, Wyoming is eligible to receive an additional
$12.5 million in grants upon demonstrating successful
implementation of the energy plans it submitted to
DOE. It is in the state’s best economic interest to
adopt the national model codes statewide and begin
enjoying the benefits of an efficient building sector.
Updated December 9, 2009
ECONOMIC BENEFITS
Consumers save money by reducing utility bills,
minimizing the negative impacts of fluctuations in
energy supply and cost, and conserving available
energy resources. Retail and office buildings con-
structed to meet the requirements of the IECC can
be over 30 percent more energy efficient than
typical buildings not constructed to meet national
model energy standards.
Monetary savings derived from codes increase a
consumer's purchasing power, and help expand the
state’s economy by keeping local dollars in Wyo-
ming.
BUILDING INDUSTRY BENEFITS
The national model code, the 2009 IECC, offers
flexibility to Wyoming builders and design profes-
sionals, allowing them to optimize the cost-
effectiveness of energy efficient features in their
building products, and to satisfy a variety of con-
sumer preferences.
The 2009 IECC also simplifies guidelines for build-
ers, providing a uniform code across the state with
multiple options for compliance.
Uniformity throughout Wyoming will enable local
jurisdictions to pool limited resources and combine
personnel to form county-wide, regional, and state-
wide enforcement and educational programs.
UTILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
Energy codes improve the energy efficiency per-
formance of new buildings and reduce demand on
power generators, therefore improving the air qual-
ity of local communities and throughout Wyoming.
Electricity use is a leading generator of air pollution.
Rising power demand increases emissions of sul-
fur dioxide, nitrous oxides and carbon dioxide. En-
ergy codes are a proven, cost-effective means for
addressing these and other environmental impacts.
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 A MODEL STATE ENERGY CODE FOR WYOMING
A view of the Teton Range from Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming (Credit—Chris Ellis West)
W yoming is currently one of only seven
states with no mandatory statewide en-
ergy code2 for residential and commercial
construction. The energy provisions contained in Ap-
pendix Chapter 53 of the Wyoming Uniform Building
Code—which are two decades old—are recommended
statewide minimums that local jurisdictions may, but
are not required to, adopt and enforce.
WHY ADOPT A STATEWIDE ENERGY CODE?
Citizens of states that require and enforce the 2009
IECC statewide enjoy the benefits of lower utility
bills, decreased energy demand, and lower air pollu-
tion than states with outdated, voluntary, or non-
existent codes. Wyoming should take advantage of
the momentous opportunity for federal financial
assistance to implement a mandatory statewide en-
ergy code.
The 2009 IECC3 greatly improves upon codes of pre-
vious decades and is supported by free compliance
software and technical assistance from DOE. It will
provide Wyoming households and businesses lower
utility costs, increased comfort, and better economic
opportunity. A limited DOE analysis4 of the changes
from the state's current building practice to the 2009
IECC resulted in estimated energy savings of 18-23
percent, or $369-$413 a year for an average new
house at recent fuel prices. Another DOE analysis5 of
the changes from the state's current commercial build-
ing practice estimates energy savings of 10-11 percent
from Standard 90.1-2007.
ENERGY RESOURCES
Wyoming is home to some of the richest fossil fuel
reserves in the country.6 Besides being one of the top
national producers of natural gas, the state’s Powder
** NOTES **
1
US DOE (http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=225)
2 5
BCAP (http://bcap-energy.org/node/100)
3
BCAP (http://bcap-energy.org/node/330)
4 6
US DOE (http://www.energycodes.gov/implement/state_codes/reports/residential/
River Basin is the largest coal-producing region in the
country, accounting for about 40 percent of all coal
mined in the United States. More than 30 states re-
ceive coal from Wyoming, and several Midwestern
and Southern states are highly or entirely dependent on
Wyoming’s coal supply. The Southern Wyoming Cor-
ridor is also one of America’s most favorable locations
for wind power development. Reducing local demand
for electricity and natural gas would free up even
more of the state’s energy resources for export to
other states, decrease costs for consumers, and in-
crease profits for businesses.
AN UNTAPPED RESOURCE
Energy prices are projected to rise sharply over the
next decade. By using energy codes to increase the
significant potential energy supply produced by im-
proved building energy efficiency, Wyoming can en-
hance its energy security by reducing in-state energy
demand. Wise management of state energy policy
should include seizing the low-hanging fruit that is the
energy savings improved building energy codes offer.
Among the opportunities:
If Wyoming updated its energy code to the 2009
IECC and required adoption and enforcement by all
local jurisdictions, businesses and homeowners
would save an estimated $16 million annually by
2020 and an estimated $31 million annually by
2030 in energy costs (assuming 2006 energy prices).
Additionally, adopting and implementing the 2009
IECC statewide would help avoid roughly 6 trillion
Btu of primary annual energy use by 2030 and
annual emissions of roughly 330,000 metric tons of
CO2 by 2030.
For more information, please visit www.bcap-ocean.org
Residential_Wyoming.pdf)
US DOE (http://www.energycodes.gov/implement/state_codes/reports/commercial/
Commercial_Wyoming.pdf)
US EIA (http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=WY)
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Washington, DC 20036
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