BUILDING CODES
& ENERGY EFFICIENCY:
OKLAHOMA
B
uildings account for roughly 40 percent of the
total energy use in the United States and 70
percent of its electricity use, representing a sig-
nificant opportunity for energy savings. Energy effi-
ciency – through the adoption and enforcement of
strong building energy codes – is the quickest, cheap-
est, and cleanest way to reduce energy consumption
and achieve a sustainable, prosperous future. For Okla-
homa, the next step should be the adoption of the latest
U.S. model residential and commercial energy codes –
the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code
(2009 IECC) and ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007.
In February 2009, the American Recovery and Rein-
vestment Act (Recovery Act) – federal legislation ap-
propriating funds for a variety of state economic initia-
tives – allocated $3.1 billion for the U.S. Department
of Energy (DOE) State Energy Program (SEP) to assist
states with building energy efficiency efforts. As a
condition of accepting $46.7 million1 in SEP funding,
Gov. Brad Henry certified to DOE2 that Oklahoma
would implement energy standards of equal or greater
stringency than the latest national model codes and
achieve 90 percent compliance in new and renovated
residential and commercial building space by 2017.
Oklahoma must now start laying the groundwork to
successfully implement the building energy code plans
submitted to DOE. It is in the state’s best economic
interest to adopt the 2009 IECC and Standard 90.1-
2007 statewide and begin the construction of a more
efficient building sector.
Updated September 14, 2010
ECONOMIC BENEFITS
Consumers save money by reducing utility bills,
minimizing the negative impacts of fluctuations in
energy supply and cost, and by conserving available
energy resources. Retail and office buildings con-
structed to meet the requirements of the IECC can
be over 30 percent more energy efficient than
typical buildings not constructed to meet national
model energy standards.
Monetary savings derived from codes increase a
consumer's purchasing power, and help expand the
state’s economy by keeping local dollars in Okla-
homa.
BUILDING INDUSTRY BENEFITS
The national model code, the 2009 IECC, offers
flexibility to Oklahoma builders and design profes-
sionals, allowing them to optimize the cost-
effectiveness of energy efficient features in their
building products, and to satisfy a variety of con-
sumer preferences.
The 2009 IECC also simplifies guidelines for build-
ers, providing a uniform code across the state with
multiple options for compliance.
Uniformity throughout Oklahoma will enable local
jurisdictions to pool limited resources and combine
personnel to form county-wide, regional, and state-
wide enforcement and educational programs.
UTILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
Energy codes improve the energy efficiency per-
formance of new buildings and reduce demand on
power generators, therefore improving the air qual-
ity of local communities throughout Oklahoma.
Electricity use is a leading generator of air pollution.
Rising power demand increases emissions of sul-
fur dioxide, nitrous oxides and carbon dioxide. En-
ergy codes are a proven, cost-effective means for
addressing these and other environmental impacts.
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Washington, DC 20036
www.bcap-ocean.org
 A MODEL STATE ENERGY CODE FOR OKLAHOMA
A river cutting through a canyon in the Wichita Mountains in
southwestern Oklahoma.(Credit—Creative Commons)
O
klahoma leaves the authority3 to adopt building
energy codes for residential and commercial
construction that is not funded by the state to the
governments of local jurisdictions. The state has estab-
lished the 2003 IECC as the code for jurisdictions that do
not adopt any code. The state code, however, does not
achieve the energy savings of the 2009 IECC.
In June 2009, Gov. Henry signed a bill creating the
Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission
(UBCC), which is charged with adopting a mandatory
minimum energy code statewide, which municipalities
may choose to exceed.4 The Commission began its work
in fall 2010.
The 2009 IECC and Standard 90.1-2007 improve sub-
stantially upon the 2003 IECC and provide a simpler,
uniform path to benefit Oklahoma households and busi-
nesses through lower utility costs, increased comfort, and
better economic opportunity.5
ENERGY SUPPLIES
While Oklahoma has significant oil and natural gas re-
serves, it still relies on coal transported primarily from
Wyoming for almost half of its electricity generation
(natural gas captured within the state accounts for almost
all of the rest).6 Reducing local demand for electricity
and natural gas would free up more of the state’s en-
** NOTES **
1 7
US DOE (http://www.energy.gov/oklahoma.htm)
2 8
US DOE (http://www.energy.gov/media/HenryOklahoma.pdf)
3 9
BCAP (http://bcap-ocean.org/state-country/oklahoma)
4
BCAP (http://bcap-energy.org/node/431)
5 10
BCAP (http://bcap-energy.org/node/330)
6
US EIA (http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=OK)
ergy resources for export, decrease costs for consumers,
and increase profits for businesses.
HOUSEHOLD PROSPERITY
In 2008, Oklahoma ranked 28th in the nation in per cap-
ita personal income,7 yet ranked 8th in per capita energy
expenditures.8 Energy expenses comprise an economic
drain on low-income communities. Low-income house-
holds typically spend 17 percent of their total annual
income on energy, compared with 4 percent for other
households. According to some estimates, more than four
-fifths of these expenses leave low-income communities.
Higher energy costs deprive these communities of re-
sources needed to generate additional economic activity.
AN UNTAPPED RESOURCE
With energy prices projected to rise sharply over the me-
dium- and long-term, reducing Oklahoma’s energy de-
mand will also enhance the state’s energy security and
stimulate its economy.
A limited DOE analysis of the changes from the state's
current residential code to the 2009 IECC resulted in
estimated energy savings of 14 to 15 percent, or about
$270 a year for an average new house at recent fuel
prices.9 Another DOE analysis of the changes from the
state's current commercial code estimates energy and
cost savings of 9–11 percent from Standard 90.1-2007.10
Energy codes also offer large-scale gains. BCAP esti-
mates that if Oklahoma began implementing the 2009
IECC and Standard 90.1-2007 statewide in 2011
(making incremental steps toward 90 percent compliance
in 2017), the state would realize substantial savings
over BCAP’s business-as-usual scenario:
By 2030, $243 million in annual energy cost savings for
households and businesses, or $2.2 billion from 2011-30.
By 2030, annual CO2 emissions reductions of 1.2 million
metric tons, or 11.4 million from 2011-30.
By 2030, residential sector source energy savings of 6
percent, representing annual savings of 9 trillion Btu.
By 2030, commercial sector source energy savings of 10
percent, representing annual savings of 13 trillion Btu.
For more information, please visit www.bcap-ocean.org
US BEA (http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/regional/spi/2009/pdf/spi0309.pdf)
US EIA (http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/states/sep_sum/html/pdf/rank_pr.pdf)
US DOE (http://www.energycodes.gov/implement/state_codes/reports/residential/
Residential_Oklahoma.pdf)
US DOE (http://www.energycodes.gov/implement/state_codes/reports/residential/
Residential_Oklahoma.pdf)
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Washington, DC 20036
www.bcap-ocean.org