Building Codes Assistance Project

US Department of Energy has announced that Energy Codes 2008 will be held July 22-35 in St. Paul, Minnesota at the Crowne Plaza St. Paul-Riverfront.  Come and participate for hands-on training and unique networking opportunities with state energy office representatives and members of the building industry.  Registration will open soon and be available at www.energycodes.gov

The New Buildings Institute (NBI) has just released a report of measured energy performance of LEED buildings. The study gathered whole building energy data from 121 LEED NC buildings across the country that had been occupied for at least one year. It was prepared by NBI and funded by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

For state-funded commercial/institutional buildings only, SECO is considering the adoption of the new ASHRAE 90.1-2007 by the end of this year. SECO is in the negotiation process to provide training in the new ASHRAE 90.1 before the effective date of the adoption. For state-funded residential buildings only, SECO will continue the adoption of 2003 IECC.

For more information consult theSECO Website.

In 2007, the Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) received authority from Texas Legislators (Senate Bill 12 and House Bill 3693 of the 80th Legislature Session-2007) to adopt by rule the latest published edition of the IECC and the IRC, after written recommendations from ESL and publish for public review and comments. The bills took effect on September 1, 2007.

Through the National Association of Counties (NACo) Green Government Initiative, the association has launched a "Green Counties" Searchable Database of counties implementing pro-environment and energy efficient practices, policies and programs.

New Hampshire implemented IECC 2006 with a minimum of difficulty on August 17, 2007. In October, after a public hearing, the NH Building Code Review Board amended the code to configure the state into a single climate zone, Zone 6. As written in the IECC 2006, Zone 6 covers a majority of the state's territory and more closely reflects construction standards under the superseded IECC 2000 code.

Anticipated Effective Date for ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004
ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004 will have an anticipated effective date of April 9, 2008.

For training and information on what has changed from the 2001 version, visit the New York State Department of State Building Energy Code Webpage.

For New York code status information, please consult the BCAP New York Code Status Page.

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.

Senate Bill 209 passed both the House and Senate. On March 19, 2008, Vermont Governor Jim Douglas signed into law the Energy Efficiency and Affordability Act of 2008. It ensures that appropriate revisions are made promptly after the issuance of updated standards for residential and commercial construction under the IECC. It requires the commissioner of public service to amend and update the code at least every three years.

Senate Bill 2456 would provide that the Code adopted under the Act applies to any new building or structure (rather than any commercial building or structure).