Building Codes Assistance Project

With an increased focus on building energy efficiency in the last year, unprecedented federal funding opportunities have placed state code infrastructures in uncharted waters as they deal with adopting, implementing, and enforcing the latest national model energy codes. The state of New Hampshire has taken the initiative to become a national leader in developing a roadmap for energy code training and compliance. For her work toward these goals, the Building Codes Assistance Project is proud to recognize Laura Richardson of the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning as its Winter 2010 Energy Code Champion!

The Governor's Energy Office (GEO) is preparing to roll out numerous new opportunities for residents, businesses, local governments, non-profits and other organizations to save money and energy, spark job creation and increase energy independence thanks to American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars.

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!

The U.S. Department of Energy has prepared, and made available to the public, a comparison of the commercial provisions found in Chapter 5 of the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code® and ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2007. Drafted by DOE in direct response to questions received from states, the comparison is designed to help states determine if they meet the requirements described in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Section 410, subparagraphs (A) and (B).

From a U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) press release:

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Total U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were 7,053 million metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTCO2e) in 2008, a decrease of 2.2 percent from the 2007 level, according to Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in the United States 2008 , a report released today by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Since 1990, U.S. GHG emissions have grown at an average annual rate of 0.7 percent.

On August 7, 2009, Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) co-sponsored bi-partisan legislation (S. 1637) in the U.S. Senate to extend the $2,000 tax credit for energy efficient homes (which is set to expire on January 1, 2010 unless extended by Congress) to December 31, 2012 and create a $5,000 credit for homes that use 50% less whole house energy than the 2004 IECC (50 HERS Index).

On August 10, during a special session, the Alaska Legislature voted to override former Gov. Sarah Palin's veto of roughly $28 million in federal stimulus funds intended for energy projects. A three-fourths majority in each chamber was needed to override the veto. The House voted 30-9 to accept the stimulus funds, while the Senate voted 15-5. The additional funds may smooth the passage of a bill (SB 167) to adopt the 2009 IECC that stalled this year, but which state legislators had already planned to reintroduce when the legislature reconvenes in January (the state currently observes a strictly residential energy code based on the 2006 IECC).

Within the past month, the U.S. Department of Energy has approved State Energy Program (SEP) plans for 50 states and territories submitted per the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act). To date, DOE has approved more than $1.188 billion in Recovery Act funding to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in these jurisdictions (see MAP).