Building Codes: Looking Beyond the Failed Vote

On September 21st, members of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) convened in Minneapolis to decide whether or not to adjust the residential building codes, which they set every three years and promote to states. This year, however, the IECC codes faced a new challenge. A group called the Energy Efficiency Codes Coalition (EECC) – created and housed by the Alliance to Save Energy, with supporters from government, all five regional energy efficiency alliances, think tanks, utilities, environmental groups and energy consumers and businesses – called for “The 30 percent solution”: a proposal to boost new home energy efficiency by 30%. For the EECC, the Minneapolis vote marked the climax of a tireless, year-long campaign to improve what are fast becoming antiquated building codes.

That the vote failed to achieve the two-thirds majority needed to pass the 30 percent solution was indeed a setback. But the campaign’s successes cannot be overlooked. On the day of the vote, the EECC inspired an overturn of the IECC Development Committee: eleven of the 21 elements of “The 30% Solution” were approved in full and two others in part, by the Final Action Hearings. In all, 55 of the 80 proposals EECC recommended were adopted as part of the 2009 IECC.

Moreover, the EECC was able to draw tremendous support for the cause prior to the vote, primarily by promoting Congressional action and building solid relationships with mayors, governors and state energy officials who had never before been involved in the codes issue. As its numbers continue to swell the EECC confidently awaits the interim IECC meeting 18 months from now, when it will once again bring the 30% solution to the table.

Says EECC Director William Fay, “We view this glass as half full, although our energy crisis may mean we should have a bucket instead of a glass,” Fay added. “One thing is certain: the EECC is in this battle for the long haul.”