Concept/Overview of the CPA GAP ANALYSIS:

Recognizing that most states lack the expertise to develop and

implement successful energy code policies and programs that will
achieve 90 percent compliance by 2017, DOE/NETL funded the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP)
to implement an 18-month project to provide compliance planning assistance to a limited number of
states. In the first phase of the project, the Gap Analysis, the BCAP Team will gather extensive
information on 15-18 states and perform a comprehensive evaluation of each state’s energy codes
program and identify strengths and weaknesses. We will examine and assess the status and support
available for code adoption, implementation, and enforcement in each state. The data gathered for each
state will include:

Status of energy codes and related policies

Code enforcement infrastructure including but not limited to:
o Presence or lack of infrastructure (e.g., small communities, rural areas)
o Certification requirements for members of the construction industry,
o Certification requirements for code enforcement officials,
o Training requirements, content, and materials for all audiences, and
o Related programs and protocols
Efforts to track and measure energy code implementation and compliance

(Note: See attached Appendix for more information on the data that will be gathered.)

Weaknesses, or “gaps” identified will highlight areas/issues where it is essential for the state to apply a
new approach or devote additional resources to its current efforts. In addition, BCAP will identify
funding and/or technical assistance available from relevant organizations and stakeholders and link
those opportunities to the applicable gaps.

State participation in the project will be entirely voluntary. The 15 to 18 states selected for the Gap
Analysis will be:
Active and engaged participants,
Identified by key stakeholders as likely to follow through on the assessment and
recommendations, and
Interested in implementing program changes and/or new programs to increase the
effectiveness of building energy codes

To present our findings, BCAP will prepare a report that provides a comprehensive overview of the
strengths and weaknesses of energy codes efforts in each state, identifies specific strategies for
improvement, and makes general recommendations, as appropriate.
 Appendix to Gap Analysis Concept/Overview

State-specific information to be collected for the CPA Gap Analysis

Depending on availability, we plan to collect information in the following areas, on participating states:

General
Construction – permits; projected construction rates; …
Energy – production; consumption; pricing; …
Code Adoption – state agency responsibility, activity, and level of code support; state advocates
and opponents, …
State Policy – restricting and supportive legislative language; pending legislation; support for
above code activity, code requirements (technical); amendments increasing/decreasing
efficiency …
Local Policy – population centers and % of construction covered by code; adoption of IBC, IRC,
and IECC; local climate/green initiatives; …

Enforcement
Community Standards – rural and urban enforcement strategies including third party; available
resources; evaluation measures in place; …
Enforcement Issues – energy code priority; code official familiarity with energy; persistent
compliance problems; …
Certification Process – certification requirement and/or standard process; continuing education
requirements; …
Products, Manufacturers, Services – effect of codes on jobs; available products and services; …

Education and Training

Code Inspectors – materials/resources utilized; CEU hours; permitting fees/funding for
inspectors; …
Building Professionals – available training/education; builder/architect association/certification
board; existence of tracking participants; …
Content – scope and detail; incorporation of state compliance issues; …