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Code Status: West Virginia

This page contains information about current energy codes in the state of West Virginia. Information for all 50 States is also available. West Virginia Code News.

Current State Codes

  • Residential Code: 2003 IECC, 2003 IRC with amendments, voluntary adoption by jurisdictions; can use REScheck to show compliance.
  • Commercial Code: 2003 IECC, voluntary adoption by jurisdictions; can use COMcheck to show compliance.
  • Code Change Cycle: No set schedule. The new editions of the code are reviewed for possible adoption as soon as they become available. Most recent update effective: May, 2006
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Code Adoption & Change Process

Process Type: Legislative & Regulatory

Code Change Process: The West Virginia State Fire Commission is responsible for adopting, promulgating, and amending statewide construction codes. The Administrative Procedures Act requires public hearings on the adoption of all codes by the State Fire Commission.

When the State Fire Commission proposes to adopt a code, the code is filed with the Secretary of State. The commission conducts a public hearing and can modify the rule with the Secretary of State as an agency-approved rule. The rule is then filed with the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee. Once the rule is approved or modified by the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee, it is introduced as a separate bill during the legislative session. Legislation need not be initiated by the State Fire Commission; the legislature can modify the code by proposing legislation at any time during the regular session.

State Code History: A state building code was authorized by the legislature in 1988 and became effective April 28, 1989, preempting all other local codes. The State Fire Marshal had requested this legislation in 1987. The State Fire Commission appointed 11 members, approved the Fire Marshal's request, and worked with the legislature to successfully pass legislation authorizing the State Fire Commission to promulgate a state building code.

Effective April 3, 1991, the 1990 National Energy Conservation Code (NECC) was adopted by reference (Title 87, Series 4, Section 4.1, Legislative Rules) along with other codes for building design and construction.

As of early 2009, the state has adopted the 2003 IECC for residential and commercial buildings.

On April 11, 2009, the West Virginia Legislature passed companion bills directing the State Fire Commission to promulagate rules adding the 2009 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2007 to the state building code. On May 7, Governor Joe Manchin signed the legislation. The West Virginia State Fire Commission has commenced the subsequent rulemaking process, with an effective date for the new code anticipated some time in the fall of 2009.

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Energy Consumption Estimates

The consumption estimates below are derived from the total end use of residential and commercial energy consumption in the United States in 2006, and are not limited to energy consumption based on building code-related factors. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration.

  • Residential Sector: 157.6 Trillion BTU
  • Commercial Sector: 109.1 Trillion BTU
  • Total Energy Consumption: 266.7 Trillion BTU
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Construction Activity

Residential:

  • Population (2000 US Census)1: 1,808,344
  • Total Housing Units2: 852,165
  • 2004 New Housing Units Authorized by Permit (Privately Owned)3:
    • total units: 5,317
    • 1 unit: 4,946
    • 2 units: 62
    • 3 and 4 units: 56
    • 5+ units: 253
    • structures of 5+ units: 27

References:

  1. http://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/phc-t2/tab01.xls
  2. http://www.census.gov/population/estimates/housing/sthuhh1.txt
  3. http://www.census.gov/const/C40/Table2/20k_t2yu200412.txt
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Green Building Initiatives

 

Code Funding Opportunities

There are two funding opportunities under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA): Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants and State Energy Program. Please reference the U.S. Department of Energy for West Virginia's allocated amount and updated information. 

 

Web Links

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State Energy Code Contacts

Jeff Herholdt
Manger, Energy Efficiency Program
WV Office Development Office
Capitol Complex, Bldg. 6, Rm. 553
1900 Kanawha Blvd. E
Charleston, WV 25305-0311

Tel: 1-800-982-3386
Fax: (304) 558-0449

Email: jherholdt@wvdo.org

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