WEEK OF MARCH 26-30, 2012

CODE ALERT BULLETIN

Brought to you by the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP) and its website The Online Code Environment & Advocacy Network (OCEAN)

Welcome to the weekly Code Alert Bulletin designed to share information and support timely participation in state and local activities related to the adoption and implementation of building energy codes. This bulletin highlights immediate opportunities to influence state and local policy outcomes, indicates code status, and recommends contact for action. By promoting these opportunities among energy efficiency stakeholders, code supporters collectively increase their impact at legislative and regulatory proceedings at the state and local levels.

Please forward this bulletin to others who support the advancement of building energy efficiency.

If you are aware of activity that should be on this bulletin, or would like to provide feedback, please contact Paul Karrer at (202) 530-4347 or pkarrer@ase.org.

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* CODE RESOURCES & EVENTS *

Webinar BCAP to Co-Host Webinar on Energy Code Collaboratives on April 17 Train-the-Trainer Seminar DOE, SWEEP to Co-Host Free 3-Day Event in Wyoming May 2-4

* ONGOING STATE ALERTS *

Alabama AERC Board Approves Preliminary Measure to Create State Energy Code California Title 24 Update Draft Language Posted Mississippi Commercial Code Adoption Bill Passes Senate South Carolina 2009 IECC Legislation Goes to Governor for Signature West Virginia Legislature Approves Energy Code for Public Buildings

* CALENDAR * ***** WEBINAR: ENERGY CODE COLLABORATIVES

Alert Status: The Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP), the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO), the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), and K energy are hosting a webinar on Energy Codes Collaboratives (ECCs) and how they can help states achieve compliance with updated energy codes by 2017. ECCs use an inclusionary process to create consensus among diverse stakeholders for energy code adoption and compliance management. This webinar on engaging stakeholders in code compliance will be on April 17 from 2pm - 3pm ET. There will be a presentation on Idaho's eleven-year experience with their compliance collaborative approach, an overview of recent efforts launched in Delaware, and more information from BCAP on their plans to work with Colorado, Nevada, Texas, and Pennsylvania. Please visit the webinar page to register. More Information: OCEAN Story Link | Webinar Registration Action: If you have any questions about this webinar, please contact Chris Wagner with NASEO [cwagner@naseo.org] Top

TRAIN THE TRAINER SEMINAR

Alert Status: The U.S. Department of Energy Building Energy Codes Program (BECP), the Southwest Energy Efficiency Partnership (SWEEP), and the Wyoming Business Council State Energy Office are hosting a free threeday seminar featuring train-the-trainer courses for building energy codes. The intent of this training is to teach attendees how to train others on the energy codes. Attendees should be familiar with the energy code and have the desire to advance their skills as a trainer. The event will be held in the Little America Hotel in Cheyenne, Wyoming on May 2, 3, and 4. To attend the training and/or to be added to the email distribution list for this events announcements, please contact J.C. Martel with SWEEP at jmartel@swenergy.org. More Information: OCEAN Story Link | Event Flyer Action: If you have any questions about this event or to register, please contact J.C. Martel with SWEEP [jmartel@swenergy.org]

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***** ALABAMA
Alert Status: On January 12, the Alabama Residential and Energy Code (AERC) Board approved a preliminary measure to create Alabamas first mandatory statewide energy code. The final draft of the AERC will be republished in the state administrative journal for 35 days before a final vote for approval in April. The effective date would be October 1, 2012. As proposed, the commercial code would be based on the 2009 IECC. The residential code would be based on Chapter 11 of the 2009 IRC with a list of amendments. Legislation passed in March 2010 (SB 315) created the AERC Board with the authority to adopt mandatory residential and commercial energy codes for the entire state and residential building codes for jurisdictions that had not implemented a residential building code prior to March 2010. The state has previously adopted the Residential Energy Code for Alabama (RECA 2004) based on the 2000 IECC as a voluntary code for residential construction. Since December 2008, the 2006 IECC has been encouraged for private commercial construction. The Alabama Building Commission enforces ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007 for all state building construction. The Alabama Energy Code Ambassadors Program (ECAP) will also expand in 2012. More Information: OCEAN Story Link | Rule 305-2-4 | SB 315 | ADECA Building Energy Efficiency | ADECA Building Energy Codes Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Jenah Zweig with SEEA [Jenah@seealliance.org] or Brian Sernulka with BCAP [bsernulka@ase.org] Top

CALIFORNIA
Alert Status: The California Energy Commission (CEC) has prepared 45-day draft language for its update to the state building energy code (Title 24, Part 6), the 2013 Building Energy Efficiency Standards (BEES) The current draft represents a 30% energy savings over the current 2008 BEES. The language (Express Terms) was released for a 45-day public comment period on February 24. Public hearings were held March 12 and 13. WebEx recordings of the meetings have been posted on the CEC website. The full CEC adoption hearing is scheduled for April 11 in Sacramento. After reviewing this feedback, the CEC will later release 15-day language and review final feedback, with a target final adoption date in October. After implementation activities throughout 2013, the standards would become effective January 1, 2014. On February 15 and 17, BCAP and NRDC hosted brief webinars on the details of the new building energy code, including why it is critically important that the public serve as active participants in the process. If you missed the presentation and are interesting in learning more, you may view the resources here. More Information: OCEAN Story Link | Webinar Materials | CEC Title 24 2013: Homepage Pre-Rulemaking Rulemaking Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Jamy Bacchus of NRDC [jbacchus@nrdc.org] or Paul Karrer with BCAP [pkarrer@ase.org] Top

MISSISSIPPI

Alert Status: On February 20, legislation (SB 2887) was introduced in the Mississippi Legislature amending Mississippi Code 57-39-21 that would task the Department of Economic and Community Development to develop commercial energy standards that meet or exceed the stringency of ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007. Should it pass, it would be effective July 1, 2012. DECA would not be responsible for enforcement; local jurisdictions are tasked with adopting rules and regulations to administer and enforce the code and charge inspection fees. The state currently has no mandatory statewide energy code. The bill passed through the Senate Energy Committee on March 6 and passed the full Senate on March 8. It now proceeds to the House Energy Committee. More Information: OCEAN Story Link | SB 2887: Home Text (as passed) | MS Code 57-39-21 Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Jenah Zweig with SEEA [Jenah@seealliance.org] or Brian Sernulka with BCAP [bsernulka@ase.org] Top

SOUTH CAROLINA
Alert Status: In January, the South Carolina Legislature introduced legislation to update the South Carolina Energy Standard to reference the 2009 IECC (it currently references the 2006 IECC). On February 23, the House approved H. 4639, and the Senate concurred on March 21. The South Carolina Home Builders Association spoke in favor of the bill, which now goes to the desk of Gov. Nikki Haley for her signature. The proposed update previously won approval by the state Energy Advisory Council (EAC) of the Public Utility Review Committee of the South Carolina Legislature. The effective date would be January 1, 2013. The South Carolina Building Code Council has also begun to review of the 2012 family of I-codes. Recent investigation and analysis by Mathis Consulting Company for the 2012 IECC for South Carolina showed cost effective and significant energy and peak power benefits to the state. BCAP also recently completed its South Carolina Strategic Compliance Plan as part of its Compliance Planning Assistance (CPA) Program. More Information: OCEAN Story Link | H. 4639 | PURC | SC Compliance Plan | Mathis 2012 IECC Cost Study Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Brian Sernulka with BCAP [bsernulka@ase.org] or Jenah Zweig with SEEA [Jenah@seealliance.org] Top

WEST VIRGINIA
Alert Status: On January 11, the Green Buildings Act (SB 76) was introduced to require that all state-funded construction (including public schools) begun after July 1, 2012 comply with ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007 and the IECC adopted by the State Fire Commission. The bill passed the House on February 27 and the Senate on March 10. It now goes to the desk of Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin. The states current code for private residential and commercial construction in based on the 2003 IECC. More Information: OCEAN Story Link | SB 76: Home Text (as passed) Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Brian Sernulka with BCAP [bsernulka@ase.org] Top

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EVENTS, HEARINGS, AND COMMENT DEADLINES

Thur, Apr 5: Indiana Effective date of 2011 Amendments to Indiana Residential Code (2009 IRC+IECC) Wed, Apr 11: California Energy Commission adoption hearing on 2013 Title 24 update 45-day language Tues, Apr 17: Webinar Energy Code Collaboratives Presentation by BCAP/NEEA/NASEO/K energy Wed-Fri, May 2-4: Seminar Train-the-Trainer Courses by DOE/SWEEP in Cheyenne, WY Mon, Oct 1: Alabama Tentative effective date of Alabama Energy and Residential Code (2009 IECC & IRC) Tues-Thur, Oct 16-18: Nebraska 2012 Regional Energy Codes Conference in Omaha Tues, Jan 1, 2013: Arkansas Effective date for commercial update of Arkansas Energy Code (90.12007)
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BCAP EVENTS CALENDAR

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