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 9, a bill was introduced in the North Carolina House of Representatives that would direct the state Building Code Council to adopt the latest published version of the IECC by January 1, 2010.  The 2009 IECC would be the minimum standard for new commercial construction as well as the minimum and maximum standard for new residential buildings.

As of May 26, HB 1443 has been assigned to the House Committee on Energy and Energy Efficiency (April 13). A hearing has yet to be scheduled.

On March 25, a bill was introduced in the North Carolina Senate that would create a separate Residential Building Code Council and North Carolina Residential Building Code, breaking code change reviews into residential and non-residential processes.

On March 11, 2008, the North Carolina Building Code Council adopted the 2009 North Carolina Energy Conservation Code. Based on the 2006 IECC (and referencing ASHRAE 90.1-2004 for commercial buildings), the code includes strengthening amendments to the base code, requiring fenestration U-factor and SHGC values of 0.40 across the state. While effective on January 1, 2009, builders are allowed to use the previous code until June 30, 2009.

On September 9, North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley announced the state won a federal Department of Energy (DOE) grant to develop and implement an innovative energy-efficient state code for building construction and renovation that will save consumers up to $40 million annually on utility bills. The grant will be used to both develop a new set of requirements for building construction to make homes and offices more energy efficient and provide training and technical assistance to improve the compliance with building codes.

"Build, Renovate, & Design for the Future"

Where: Embassy Suites Raleigh

Who's Coming: Builders & General Contractors, Architects, Engineers, Developers, HVAC Designers, HERS Raters, Inspectors, Appraisers, Utility Representatives, Building Materials Suppliers, Energy Specialists, Real
Estate Agents, Other Building Professionals and anyone looking for
inrformation on energy efficient and green building

On June 30, 2008, Gov. Mike Easley announced that North Carolina has won a grant from the National Governors Association (NGA) to develop an innovative program to increase energy building code inspections that could yield utility cost savings of up to $15 million a year. North Carolina is one of 12 states to receive the grants from the association's Center for Best Practices.