Week of May 31, 2010

*To join or remove yourself from this mailing list, please email your request to Paul Karrer at pkarrer@ase.org.*

CODE ALERT BULLETIN

Brought to you by the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP) and its new website
the Online Code Environment & Advocacy Network (OCEAN)

Welcome to the weekly Code Alert Bulletin designed to share information and support timely participation in
state and local activities related to the adoption of building energy codes. Each bulletin will highlight immediate
opportunities to influence the outcome of state and local policy, indicate code status, and recommend action. We
believe that by broad dissemination of these opportunities among energy efficiency supporters, we will
collectively increase our impact at the state and local level and improve the outcome of policy debates and
legislative and regulatory proceedings.

We invite you to pass this email along to others who support energy efficiency improvements at the state and
local level and would like to receive this information.

If you are aware of activity that needs to be on this list, or would like to provide feedback on this bulletin, please
contact Paul Karrer at (202) 530-4347 or pkarrer@ase.org.

*****
*Code Updates*
Maine – 2009 IECC/90.1-2007 Effective June 1; Enforcement Begins December 1

*Newest Alerts*
Delaware – BCAP Hosting Model Code Training Sessions in May and June
Louisiana – Rule Reverts 2009 IRC Energy Chapter to 2006; Comments Due June 15
Oregon – Final Adoption of 2010 OEESC; Commercial Code Effective July 1
Texas – Energy Office Officially Adopts 2009 IECC and 2009 IRC

DOE – Energy Codes 2010 Registration Open; Conference July 19-22

*Calendar*

*****
Maine
Alert Status: After the legislative establishment of the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code (MUBEC) in April 2008
by LD 2257 (enacted as P.L. 699), the Bureau of Building Codes and Standards (within the Department of Public Safety)
has issued regulations setting the 2009 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2007 as the mandatory energy standards for
residential, commercial, and public buildings statewide.
The MUBEC is effective June 1, 2010. There will a six-month transition period during which towns may still enforce
their previous codes. Among the new rules:
Towns with a population of 2,000 that had a building code on August 1, 2008 will be required to begin
enforcing the code December 1, 2010.
Towns with a population of 2,000 that did not have a building code on August 1, 2008 will be required to begin
enforcing the code December 1, 2012.
Towns with a population under 2,000 are not required to enforce the code.
The MUBEC replaces all local municipal building codes. Cities and towns may not amend any MUBEC
provisions, even to make it more stringent.
Enforcement is the responsibility of local jurisdictions. Municipalities without a CEO certified by the State
Planning Office may authorize a Third-party Inspector to conduct compliance inspections and prepare a report
to be given to the municipal CEO as an application for the Certificate of Occupancy.
More Information: BCAP Maine Code News | Bureau of Building Codes and Standards | MUBEC FAQs | SPO Code
Enforcement & Training | P.L. 699
Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Paul Karrer with BCAP [pkarrer@ase.org]
Top

*****
Delaware
Alert Status: To prepare the state for its upcoming new energy codes (2009 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2007), the Delaware
Energy Office (partnering with BCAP and Newport Ventures) will be offering six training sessions in three locations
throughout the state in May and June. Georgetown (May 18 and 19), Dover (May 25 and 26), and Newark (June 8 and
9) will each host two separate sessions comprised of 4-hour residential and commercial modules back-to-back.
To register, email Marguerite Carroll at mcarroll@newportpartnersllc.com. Please include “Training” on the subject
line of your email along with names of all attendees, company name, address, phone number, and desired session(s).
More Information: BCAP Delaware Code News | Informational Flyer | SB 59
Top

Louisiana
Alert Status: On March 9, the Louisiana State Uniform Code Council voted to revise the Louisiana State Uniform
Construction Code (LSUCC) by substituting the energy efficiency section (Chapter 11) of the 2006 International
Residential Code (IRC) in place of Chapter 11 of the 2009 IRC. The proposed rule has been published in the Louisiana
Register (see pages 1135-36) and would be effective January 1, 2011. Written comments will be accepted through
June 15.
More Information: BCAP Louisiana Code News | May 2010 Louisiana Register (pages 1135-36) | Louisiana State Uniform
Code Council
Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Brian Sernulka with BCAP [bsernulka@ase.org] or Eric Lacey
with RECA [eric.lacey@bbrslaw.com]
Top
Oregon
Alert Status: The Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) has filed an official Adoption Notice for its final draft of the 2010
Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code (OEESC). For the first time, the state’s energy efficiency construction
provisions will be published as a stand-alone code and based on the 2009 IECC. According to BCD, the code will achieve
15% energy savings beyond the existing commercial code by making changes in three main areas: requiring increased
insulation and energy-efficient windows, adding automatic lighting controls, and requiring more efficient mechanical
systems.
The chapter on commercial energy efficiency (Chapter 5) of the 2010 OEESC will take the place of Chapter 13 of the
2007 Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC). The commercial chapter will be effective July 1, 2010 with a 90-day
"phase-in" period where individuals may choose to build either to the 2007 OSSC Chapter 13 energy provisions or the
2010 OEESC.
As for an updated residential code, BCD tentatively expects to complete work in April 2011 replacing Chapter 11 of the
2008 Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC) with Chapter 4 of the 2010 OEESC (which will achieve 10-15% greater
energy savings)
More Information: BCAP Oregon Code News | Adoption Notice | 2010 OEESC Final Draft | Oregon SB 79 | Oregon BCD
Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Paul Karrer with BCAP [pkarrer@ase.org]
Top
Texas
Alert Status: As published in the June 4 Texas Register, the Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) has officially
adopted a rule (proposed March 26) to update the state’s energy codes codified in 34 TAC §19.53. The rule will update
the Texas Building Energy Performance Standards (currently based on the 2000 IECC with the 2001 Supplement) to the
energy efficiency provisions (Chapter 11) of the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) for single family homes,
effective January 1, 2012, and the 2009 IECC for all other buildings, effective January 1, 2011. The adoption notice
addresses issues raised by public comments received in April.
More Information: BCAP Texas Code News | Adoption Notice | Texas SECO
Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Eric Lacey with RECA [eric.lacey@bbrslaw.com] or Cyrus Reed
with the Sierra Club in Texas [cyrus.reed@sierraclub.org]
Top

Department of Energy
Alert Status: DOE’s annual conference Energy Codes 2010 will be held July 19-22 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The
conference will provide hands-on training and face-to-face networking through various training activities with other
members in the energy codes community. It represents a unique opportunity to bring together state energy office
representatives and members of the building industry and to discuss current building energy code issues and receive
consistent technical training on building energy codes and standards.
Registration is now open at a reduced price by registering before July 9. Hotel reservations at the Westin Charlotte
must be made by June 28 to guarantee receiving a special rate of $100 per room per night. Online nominations for the
Jeffrey A. Johnson Award are due June 30.
More Information: Energy Codes 2010 | Registration | Hotel Information | Jeffrey A. Johnson Award
Top

*****
Events, Hearings, and Comment Deadlines
Tues-Wed, June 8-9: Delaware – BCAP hosts model code training sessions in Newark, DE
Tues, June 15: Georgia – RGBC Task Force meeting in Atlanta, GA
Tues, June 15: Louisiana – Comments due on proposed rule revising LSUCC to 2006 IRC Ch.11
Thur, June 24: Montana – 2009 IECC effective statewide, including in all certified local jurisdictions
Mon-Thur, June 28-July 1: New Mexico – Public hearings on proposed 2009 IECC amendments
Thur, July 1: New Mexico – Public comments on proposed 2009 IECC amendments due by 5:00pm MT
Thur, July 1: Oregon – 2010 OEESC effective statewide (commercial only); 90-day transition period begins
Thur, July 1: Washington – 2009 Washington State Energy Code effective statewide
Mon-Thur, July 19-22: Energy Codes 2010 – DOE conference in Charlotte, NC
Thur, July 29: Georgia – 2009 IECC Task Force meeting in Atlanta, GA
Sat, Aug 14 – Sun, Aug 22: ICC – IGCC Version 1.0 public comment hearings in Rosemont, IL

BCAP Events Calendar

 *****
To join or remove yourself from this mailing list,
please email your request to Paul Karrer at pkarrer@ase.org