Building Codes Assistance Project

The Building Code Assistance Project announces...our selection for the July 2007 ENERGY CODE CHAMPION!

Rudy Underwood has been working extremely hard to lobby for exciting new energy efficiency legislation in many southern states - making him BCAP's choice for Energy Code Champion! As State Government and Grassroots Director, Southern Region, for the American Chemistry Council (ACC) and Government Affairs Staff Representative for ACC's Plastics Division Building and Construction Committee, Rudy has taken responsibility for finding opportunities to promote energy efficiency policies. He has helped introduce measures promoting tax incentives for energy-efficient homes in Georgia that will be considered by the legislature in 2008. He also advocated for the successful Illinois bill that updated the state's commercial energy code. A similar bill in Louisiana, passed with Rudy's support, contains an added clause requiring the codes to update whenever a new version becomes available.

Not surprisingly, Rudy and the ACC are ever conscious of their industry's use of energy, as natural gas is used in large quantities in chemical manufacturing. As Rudy himself put it, "natural gas is for the chemistry industry like flour is to a baker." To help mitigate the effects of this usage, he has led efforts to increase the supply of affordable energy and shift the focus of green building policies towards energy efficiency. Rudy explains, "Rather than accepting green building policies based on private nonprofit, eco-label rating programs, we are advocating [for states to] adopt policies that use the energy code as a basis for energy efficiency standards." The ACC recommends new state buildings exceed the state energy code by at least 30 percent - a significant improvement! A bill modeled after this provision was signed by Virginia's governor and it is expected that Louisiana's governor will do the same for legislation introduced in this state. ACC anticipates using this model in 2008 in GA, NC, and MS.

Rudy Underwood is exemplary in his efforts and accomplishments to further energy efficiency and energy code policies, and because of his success and great effort, BCAP is overjoyed to name him our first Energy Code Champion!