WEEK

OF

AUGUST 22-26, 2011

CODE ALERT BULLETIN

Brought to you by the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP) and its 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 and implementation of building energy codes. This bulletin highlights immediate opportunities to influence state and local policy outcomes, indicates code status, and recommends contact for action. By promoting these opportunities among energy efficiency supporters, advocates can collectively increase their impact at legislative and regulatory proceedings at the state and local levels. Please forward this bulletin to others who support the advancement of building energy efficiency. If you are aware of activity that should be on this bulletin, or would like to provide feedback, please contact Paul Karrer at (202) 530-4347 or pkarrer@ase.org. For the latest energy code news and BCAP activity, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

* CODE RESOURCES *
BCAP Consumers Union Energy Code Awareness Campaign Launches

* ONGOING STATE ALERTS *

Indiana DHS Posts Residential Code Update Rule; Hearing Sept. 16 Nebraska Updated Statewide Energy Code Effective August 24 Utah Media Outlets Draw Attention to Energy Codes Wisconsin Commercial Code Update to 2009 IECC Effective Sept. 1

* GENERAL ALERTS *
BCAP Open Executive Director Position Posted

BCAP CONSUMER

* CALENDAR * ***** AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

Alert Status: BCAP and Consumers Union are excited to launch a new effort to educate the public on the impact of home energy use, the role of energy codes in addressing home energy performance, and what you can do to save energyand money. Our primary goal is to educate and engage everyone in support of energy codes. You have a right to a home that meets national standards for energy efficiency.

Check out the campaigns resources, including an energy code checklist, an interactive energy code guide, and a step-by-step guide to finding out about energy codes in your location. More Information: Energy Code Awareness Campaign Home Action: To learn more, please contact Kelly Guhanick of BCAP [kguhanick@ase.org] Top

INDIANA
Alert Status: After winning approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has posted its rule to update the energy provisions of the 2005 Indiana Residential Code (currently based on the 1992 Model Energy Code) by adopting provisions of Chapter 11 of the 2009 IRC with amendments to make it equivalent to Chapter 4 of the 2009 IECC. Developed by the Residential Code Review Committee, the rule does not propose updates to the non-energy provisions of the states residential code. This rule has proceeded through the states administrative rule review process. The Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission will hold a hearing on September 16 to accept public comments on the rule, which will become effective 30 days after it is published. The state previously updated its commercial energy code incorporating ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007, effective May 6, 2010. More Information: BCAP Indiana Code News | Rule: LSA #11-84 | Sept. 16 Hearing | Indiana FPBSC | 2010 Review Committee | Summary of Proposed Code Changes | DOE IRC Ch. 11 Amendments Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Isaac Elnecave of MEEA [ielnecave@mwalliance.org] Top

NEBRASKA
Alert Status: The newest edition of the Nebraska Energy Code became effective on August 24. Gov. Dave Heineman signed legislation (LB 329) on April 14 updating the states energy code from the 2003 IECC to the 2009 IECC. More Information: BCAP Nebraska Code News | LB 329: Home & Text | NEO Training Info Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Paul Karrer with BCAP [pkarrer@ase.org] Top

UTAH
Alert Status: In August, several Utah media sources picked up pieces on building energy efficiency and the movement to update the states residential building energy code to the 2009 IECC. Some examples of these stories include a local TV report, a newspaper article, and a letter to the editor. The issue previously garnered similar media attention in February. Debate over Utah's outdated homebuilding codes heats up (Geoffrey Fattah, KSL News, July 26, 2011) National energy conference in Salt Lake brings attention to Utah's outdated home codes (Geoffrey Fattah, Deseret News, July 25, 2011) True cost of energy codes (Letter to the Editor, Salt Lake Tribune, August 6, 2011) During the fall 2010 interim session, the state legislature chose not to follow the October 2010 recommendation of the Utah Uniform Building Code Commission to adopt a modified

version of the 2009 IECC for new homes and major residential renovations, keeping Utahs energy conservation code for one- and two-family dwellings at the 2006 IECC. During the previous interim session, the Legislature chose not to follow the October 2010 recommendation of the Utah Uniform Building Code Commission to adopt a modified version of the 2009 IECC for new homes and major residential renovations, keeping Utahs energy conservation code for one- and two-family dwellings at the 2006 IECC. Estimates of homeowner utility savings from the 2009 IECC range from $175 to almost $250 per year. The state updated its non-residential code to the 2009 IECC after the passage of the State Construction Code Adoption Act, effective July 1, 2010. More Information: BCAP Utah Code News | BCAP Incremental Cost Estimate | Recent Media Coverage: KSL-TV | Deseret News | SLC Tribune Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Kevin Emerson with Utah Clean Energy [Kevin@utahcleanenergy.org] Top

WISCONSIN
Alert Status: Code change proposals from the Wisconsin Department of Commerce to update the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code (Comm 61-66) to reference several 2009 I-Codes were automatically adopted on July 1. These include updating Comm 63 Energy Conservation to incorporate the 2009 IECC with Wisconsin amendments (including an additional air barrier requirement similar to that of the 2012 IECC). The changes will become effective September 1, 2011. Information on the update process for the residential requirements of the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code (Comm 22 Energy Conservation) is available here. NOTE: As of July 1, the Safety and Buildings Division of the Department of Commerce will begin the process of moving to the newly created Department of Safety and Professional Services. More Information: BCAP Wisconsin Code News | Adoption Draft | Summary of Changes | Dept. of Commerce Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Isaac Elnecave of MEEA [ielnecave@mwalliance.org] Top

***** BCAP OPEN POSITION

Alert Status: BCAPs parent organization, the Alliance to Save Energy, welcomes applications from exceptionally talented individuals with demonstrated executive leadership skills, experience in building and maintaining public/private coalitions, and a sound technical knowledge of energy-efficient buildings to serve as Director of Building Programs and Energy Codes. The new Director replaces Aleisha Khan, who recently accepted an opportunity for professional growth in a related field. For details on the position description and how to apply, please click here. Please feel free to share this announcement with colleagues. More Information: Director of Building Programs and Energy Codes Top

EVENTS, HEARINGS,

AND

***** COMMENT DEADLINES

Wed, Sept 1: Wisconsin Commercial Building Code, Comm 63 (2009 IECC) effective Fri, Sept 16: Indiana DHS public hearing on 2005 Indiana Residential Code update rule LSA #11-84 (2009 IRC) Sat, Oct 1: Vermont 2011 Residential Building Energy Standards (exceeds 2009 IECC) effective Tues, Nov 1: Ohio Updated Ohio Building Code (2009 IECC/90.1-2007) effective date Wed-Sun, Nov 2-6: ICC 2012 IGCC Final Action Hearings in Phoenix, AZ Sun, Jan 1: North Carolina 2012 NC Energy Conservation Code (meets/exceeds 2009 IECC) effective Wed, Feb 1: New Mexico 2009 NM Energy Conservation Code revision (2009 IECC) effective Thur, Mar 1: North Carolina 2012 NC Energy Conservation Code mandatory compliance effective Thur, Mar 15: Florida Anticipated effective date of 2010 Florida Building Code (2009 IECC/ state-based)
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BCAP Events Calendar

*****
Building Codes Assistance Project 1850 M Street NW | Suite 600 | Washington, DC 20036 (202) 530-4347 | Contact BCAP
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