Week of June 7, 2010

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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.

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*****
*Newest Alerts*
Georgia – Final Green Code Task Force Meeting June 15
Louisiana – Rule Reverts 2009 IRC Energy Chapter to 2006; Comments Due June 15
New Mexico – Commission Approves 2009 IECC Amendments, Summer Hearings
Oregon – Final Adoption of 2010 OEESC; Commercial Code Effective July 1
Texas – Energy Office Officially Adopts 2009 IECC and 2009 IRC

Other News – Franklin County, GA | Jamaica | New York City

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

*Calendar*

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Georgia
Alert Status: The Georgia Residential Green Building Code Task Force meeting scheduled for May 20 has been
cancelled. The next meeting has been scheduled for June 15 in Atlanta, which will be the last meeting. All meeting
agendas, meeting minutes, and proposed amendments to the ICC-700 are available at the Task Force’s homepage.
More Information: BCAP Georgia Code News | 2010 Meeting Dates | RGBC Homepage
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
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
New Mexico
Alert Status: On May 14, the Construction Industries Commission (CIC) approved a set of proposed code amendments
that would make the 2009 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code (NMECC) approximately 20% more stringent than
the 2006 IECC (the residential and commercial portions of the 2009 IECC are about 13-15% and 5% above the 2006
IECC, respectively). The amendments to the 2009 IECC include stronger prescriptive values for fenestration U-factors
and R-values for ceilings, wood frame walls, and mass walls. The compliance option using ASHRAE Standard 90.1 has
also been removed.
A series of five public hearings on the amendments will be held throughout the state June 28 – July 1. Written
comments will be accepted through July 1. The amendments will then go before CIC for a final vote, likely at its next
meeting July 16. The implementation date (originally planned for summer 2010) is uncertain, though could be as early
as January 2011.
More Information: BCAP New Mexico Code News | Proposed Amendments | Hearing Schedule | CID Homepage
Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Jim Meyers with SWEEP [jmeyers@swenergy.org] or Paul Karrer
with BCAP [pkarrer@ase.org]
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

Other News
Franklin County, GA – Work Continues to Strengthen Franklin County Building Codes
Jamaica – Cabinet Instructs Legislature to Draft National Building Code Bill
New York City – City Council Unveils Green Codes Legislation
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, 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

 *And for the latest energy code news and BCAP activity,*
follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin.

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