Building Codes Assistance Project

The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Department of Public Works has adopted the 2009 International Building Code (IBC) for residential and commercial buildings, including the code's energy provisions.

According to the Department of Public Works, the new building code qualifies CNMI for $18.6 million in State Energy Program (SEP) economic stimulus funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 that could be used to enhance energy efficiency. 

On February 17, a bill (HB 7) was introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives that would establish green building labeling and energy use standards for any building or structure constructed using any state capital budget money, including money from the education facilities trust fund.  These buildings would be required to:

On September 29, the Texas A&M Energy Systems Laboratory (ESL) -- directed by Texas Health & Safety Code - Section 388.00 -- recommended that the Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) promulgate rules to update the Texas Building Energy Performance Standards (currently based on the 2000 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with the 2001 Supplement) to the 2009 IECC and the energy efficiency provisions (Chapter 11) of the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC). ESL also advised the state to "immediately begin educating, training, and providing technical assistance for building professionals and enforcement officials to enable statewide compliance."

On February 26, 2009, a bill (AB 758) was introduced in the California General Assembly that would require the California Energy Commission, by March 1, 2010, to establish a regulatory proceeding to develop a comprehensive program to achieve greater energy savings in the state's existing residential and nonresidential building stock. The Energy Commission would be required to consult with specified entities and to hold at least three public hearings.

Code official Don Mallette and his associates with the Lewis County Department of Building and Fire Codes in New York recently went far beyond the call of duty to help a homeowner assure the insulation job was done correctly in their new home. For this effort, BCAP is proud to recognize Don and the Department as its Fall 2009 Energy Code Champions!