Building Codes Assistance Project

Join over 700 of energy efficiency's most notable leaders, representing 40+ countries, at the Energy Efficiency Global Forum & Exposition (EE Global), being held May 10-12, 2010 at the Washington DC Convention Center. With over 80% of 2009 participants self-identifying as executives or managers, EE Global 2010 will provide access to decision makers and offer executive-level insight and dialogue. Focusing solely on energy efficiency from the perspective of all energy end-use sectors (buildings, industrial and transportation) and with coverage of all cross-cutting issues (finance, policy, technology, and market transformation), EE Global serves as an exchange of best practices and policies for global implementation of energy efficiency. Visit www.eeglobalforum.org for detailed information about this exciting event!

On April 6, the City Council of Portland, Maine unanimously approved a green building ordinance requiring all city-owned new construction and major renovations to be built to LEED Silver standards with additional energy credits to meet the energy and carbon reduction goals of the Architecture 2030 Challenge. The city joins Washington State in mandating the goals of the 2030 Challenge.

Upload date: 07/08/08

On April 24, 2008, the Maine state legislature passed LD 2257, establishing the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code by setting the 2009 versions of the IECC, IBC, IRC, IEBC, and ASHRAE 90.1 as the mandatory building code standards for residential and commercial buildings statewide. Beginning July 1, 2010, the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code must be enforced in municipalities that have more than 2,000 residents and that have adopted any building code by August 1, 2008. Beginning July 1, 2012, the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code must be enforced in municipalities that have more than 2,000 residents and that have not adopted any building code by August 1, 2008. Communities smaller than 2,000 residents are exempt.

The Maine Legislature is considering Legislative Document 2257. This bill defines a uniform statewide building and energy code, known as the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code, that will replace all building and energy codes adopted by state agencies and municipalities.
It establishes the Technical Building Codes and Standards Board in the Department of Public Safety, which will amend, update and adopt the code.

The Maine Legislature is considering Legislative Document 2179, which would establish a system for the regulation and inspection of building energy standards. It also creates a tax credit for Energy Star homes and high-performance buildings. (As of February 5, 2007)

For more information please visit the Maine Legislature Website or download the text of LD 2179 (PDF 25.23 KB).

Resolve 46, Directing the Development of a Building Code and Building Rehabilitation Code Implementation Plan was passed in response to a recognition by the 123rd Maine State Legislature that more work needs to be done to achieve uniformity of building related codes across the state.