WEEK

OF

APRIL 4 8, 2011

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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 supporters, advocates can collectively increase their impact at legislative and regulatory proceedings at the state and local level. Feel free to forward this bulletin to others who support the advancement of building energy efficiency. If you are aware of activity should be on this bulletin, or would like to provide feedback, please contact Paul Karrer at (202) 530-4347 or pkarrer@ase.org. *And for the latest energy code news and BCAP activity,* follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

* NEWEST STATE ALERTS *

Arkansas Legislature Approves Bill Authorizing Energy Office to Update Energy Code Hawaii 2009 IECC Subcommittee Progress; Code Seminar May 13 in Honolulu Kentucky Commercial Code Updated to 2009 IECC Montana Legislature Approves 5-Year Energy Code Payback Bill

* ONGOING STATE ALERTS *

Maine Energy Code Repeal Bill Hearing April 7 Maryland1 MEA Offering More FREE Code Training Seminars April June Maryland2 House, Senate Pass Bill to Allow State, Jurisdictions to Adopt IGCC Nebraska Chamber Approves Second Reading of 2009 IECC Adoption Bill New Mexico CID Announces Free Energy Code Training Schedule Texas 2009 IECC Effective April 1 for Nonresidential Construction

* GENERAL ALERTS *
OCEAN Resource of the Week BCAP Incremental Cost Analysis Enhanced

BCAP Open Position: Advocacy Program Associate MEEA Open Position: Senior Building Policy Associate 2012 IECC Publication April 30; ICC Posts Next Code Development Cycle Schedule 2012 IGCC DOE April 14 Meeting On 2012 IGCC Hearings In May, November ICC May 2011 is Building Safety Month | Week One: Energy/Sustainability

* CALENDAR * ***** ARKANSAS

Alert Status: On March 7, a bill (SB 816) was introduced in the Arkansas General Assembly that would authorize the Arkansas Energy Office (AEO) to promulgate rules updating the Arkansas Energy Code. The current edition is based on the 2003 IECC and ASHRAE 90.12001 (for more, view the BCAP Arkansas Gap Analysis Report). The bill was approved by the Senate on March 23 and the House on March 28. It was signed on March 30 by Gov. Mike Beebe and is now Act 802. More Information: BCAP Arkansas Code News | SB 816: Home & Text | AEO | 2004 AR Energy Code | BCAP CPA Report Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Brian Sernulka with BCAP [bsernulka@ase.org] or Maria Leonardi with SEEA [maria@seealliance.org] Top

HAWAII
Alert Status: The 2009 IECC subcommittee of the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism is progressing towards completion of a state-specific model energy code. The subcommittee hopes to complete work this month and submit a code for approval by the Hawaii Building Council in May. The approved code would then have to be drafted in legislation in each of the states four county councils. BEDT is also hosting a seminar on May 13 in Honolulu covering all topics related to building codes in Hawaii (you can even earn CEUs). View more details on the seminar flyer or register online. More Information: BCAP Hawaii Code News | Seminar Flyer | Registration Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Paul Karrer with BCAP [pkarrer@ase.org] Top

KENTUCKY
Alert Status: The 2007 Kentucky Building Code (KBC), while still based on the 2006 IBC, has been revised for its 9th edition to reference the 2009 IECC as the energy code for the nonresidential buildings covered by the KBC. The 2007 Kentucky Residential Code (KRC), based on the 2006 IRC, has been revised for its 2nd edition, but its energy code reference remains the 2006 IECC for the buildings covered by the KRC. The updated KBC and KRC are effective March 6, 2011, with compliance mandatory starting June 1, 2011. More Information: BCAP Kentucky Code News | KBHBC | 2007 KBC, 9th Ed. (2011) | 2007 KRC, 2nd Ed. (2011) | BCAP KY CPA Report Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Brian Sernulka with BCAP [bsernulka@ase.org] or Maria Leonardi with SEEA [maria@seealliance.org] Top

MONTANA
Alert Status: On January 12, a bill (SB 159) was introduced in the Montana Legislature that would affect future updates to the state energy code (currently based on the 2009 IECC). The bill would require the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) to demonstrate a fiveyear payback period for the added incremental costs (relative to the 2009 IECC) of constructing a home to proposed code updates in the future. The bill passed the state Senate on February 1 and state House on April 1. The bill now goes to Gov. Brian Schweitzer's desk. More Information: BCAP Montana Code News | SB 159: Home & Text | ARM Title 24 Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact David Cohan with NEEA [dcohan@neea.org] or Paul Karrer with BCAP [pkarrer@ase.org] Top

***** MAINE
Alert Status: On January 11, a bill (HP 36 LD 43) was introduced in the Maine Legislature that would repeal the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code (MUBEC). A hearing on the bill is scheduled for April 7 before the House Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development. Other legislation has been introduced to delay, modify, or alter the application of the MUBEC. After the legislative establishment of the MUBEC in April 2008 by LD 2257 (enacted as P.L. 699), the Bureau of Building Codes and Standards (within the Department of Public Safety) issued regulations setting the 2009 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2007 as the mandatory energy standards for residential, commercial, and public buildings statewide. The MUBEC became effective June 1, 2010, although there was a six-month transition period during which towns may still enforce their previous codes. Read more about the new rules here. More Information: BCAP Maine Code News | HP 36 LD 43: Home & Text | Bureau of Building Codes and Standards | MUBEC FAQs | SPO Code Enforcement & Training | P.L. 699 | 2009 MUBEC News Archive Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Carolyn Sarno with NEEP [csarno@neep.org] Top

MARYLAND1
Alert Status: The Maryland Energy Administration, in conjunction with the Maryland Codes Administration, is offering more FREE code training seminars from April through June. All seminars are free of charge and work books and all instructional materials will be given free of charge. Attendance is limited at each seminar location so please register early. The Residential Plan Review and Field Inspection Techniques seminar and the Understanding the Updated ASHRAE 90.1-2010 seminar (approved for CEUs) are both open for registration now. More Information: BCAP Maryland Training News | Code Training Information | 2010 MBPS Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Jim Magliano with MEA [Magliano@dhcd.state.md.us] Top

MARYLAND2
Alert Status: A bill (HB 972) was introduced on February 11 in the Maryland General Assembly that would authorize the Department of Housing and Community Development

(DHCD) to adopt by regulation the first printing of the 2012 International Green Construction Code (IGCC). It would also allow local jurisdictions to adopt and amend the IGCC as an optional code in addition to the mandatory Maryland Building Performance Standards (MBPS), if DHCD chooses not to adopt the IGCC as an optional additional code. Though Rhode Island has previously passed legislation concerning the IGCC, HB 972 would make Maryland to first state to adopt the IGCC on a large scale ahead of the final 2012 IGCC hearings this year. A tentative effective date for the bill would be March 2012. The bill was approved by the House on March 17. As of April 7, the bill had passed the Senate with amendments and was sent back for the House to concur. More Information: BCAP Maryland Code News | HB 972: Home & Text (amended) | USGBC Codes Blog | 2010 MBPS | 2012 IGCC Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Carolyn Sarno with NEEP [csarno@neep.org] or Paul Karrer with BCAP [pkarrer@ase.org] Top

NEBRASKA
Alert Status: A bill (LB 329) has been introduced in the Nebraska Unicameral that would update the Nebraska Energy Code from the 2003 IECC to the 2009 IECC and contains technical cleanup language. The bill came before the Urban Affairs Committee February 15 and was approved on February 25. The full chamber approved the first reading of the bill on March 17 and the second reading March 29. It will now move forward to a third reading for final approval. The Nebraska Energy Office (NEO) announced a schedule of free training opportunities for the building community. Some sessions are now full, so sign up today to reserve a spot and/or be placed on a waiting list. Two workshops on May 5-6 presented by Joe Lstiburek of the Building Science Corporation will focus on advanced building science topics. More Information: BCAP Nebraska Code News | LB 329: Home & Text | NEO Training Info Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Paul Karrer with BCAP [pkarrer@ase.org] Top

NEW MEXICO
Alert Status: The Regulation and Licensing Department of the Construction Industries Division has released a schedule of free trainings for construction professionals on the 2009 New Mexico Building and Energy Conservation Codes. There are six opportunities for twoday sessions throughout the state in April and May. The energy code contains amendments that would make it approximately 20% more stringent than the 2006 IECC. It will take full effect on July 1. More Information: BCAP New Mexico Code News | Training Schedule | CID | 2009 NMECC News Archive Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Jim Meyers with SWEEP [jmeyers@swenergy.org] Top

TEXAS
Alert Status: The first of two updates to the Texas Building Energy Performance Standards (34 TAC 19.53) becomes effective April 1, 2011. Currently based on the 2000 IECC with the 2001 Supplement, the new codes were proposed on March 26 by the Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) and adopted as published in the June 4 Texas Register. Among the changes:

For single family homes the energy efficiency provisions (Chapter 11) of the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC), effective January 1, 2012 For all other residential, commercial, and industrial buildings the 2009 IECC, effective April 1, 2011 More Information: BCAP Texas Code News | Texas Register Adoption Notice (p. 4729) | Texas SECO Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Eric Lacey with RECA [eric.lacey@bbrslaw.com] or Cyrus Reed with the Sierra Club in Texas [cyrus.reed@sierraclub.org] Top

***** OCEAN RESOURCE

OF THE

WEEK

Alert Status: With U.S. DOE funding through the National Association of State and Energy Officials (NASEO), BCAP used data from its Residential Incremental Cost Analysis to create outreach materials that explain the financial benefits of the 2009 IECC. For each of the 29 states included in the original study, BCAP created a two-page handout (see Alabama example) that presents a favorable cost-benefit analysis of the new code in a transparent, engaging format. In each state, BCAP presents a scenario whereby homebuyers roll incremental costs into a typical 30-year mortgage and realize utility bill savings over time. Each sheet presents the investment break-even point, as well as yearly profits which accrue to homeowners. An illustrative diagram also identifies areas of the home that are upgraded by the code. More Information: BCAP Cost Resource News | Residential Incremental Cost Analysis Homepage Action: For more information, please contact John Miller with BCAP [jmiller@ase.org] Top

BCAP OPEN POSITION

Alert Status: BCAP has posted an open position for a new Program Associate on its Advocacy Team strategically track state and local policy developments related to building energy codes through research and established networks. View the job description on the OCEAN Jobs Board for more information. More Information: BCAP Program Associate Job Description | OCEAN Jobs Board Top

MEEA OPEN POSITION

Alert Status: A position posted by the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) is still open to applications. MEEA is a regional non-profit organization based in Chicago with a mission to advance energy efficiency in the Midwest. The Senior Building Policy Associate will assist the Senior Policy Manager in advancing all of MEEAs building policy activities at the local, state and regional levels. View the job description here. More Information: BCAP News Article | MEEA Job Description | OCEAN Jobs Board Top

2012 IECC
Alert Status: The International Code Council will publish the 2012 editions of its International Codes series, including the 2012 IECC, on April 30, 2011. The publication occurs as ICC looks ahead to its 2012/2013 code development cycle to produce the 2015 versions of the

I-Codes. The Group B schedule, which includes the 2015 IECC and the 2015 International Green Construction Code (IGCC), is highlighted by Code Development Hearings in April 2013 and Final Action Hearings in October 2013, with publication occurring in 2014. A separate code cycle for the 2012 IGCC will conclude with Code Development Hearings May 16-22 in Dallas and Final Action Hearings November 2-6 in Phoenix. More Information: BCAP IECC Code News | 2012/13 Schedule | 2012 IGCC Schedule Top

2012 IGCC
Alert Status: ICC will hold a separate code cycle for the 2012 International Green Construction Code (IGCC). It will conclude with Code Development Hearings May 16-22 in Dallas and Final Action Hearings November 2-6 in Phoenix. DOE will host a public meeting on April 14 in Washington, DC to discuss the proposed code changes submitted by DOE, as well as all other changes proposed to Chapter 6 of the IGCC for the purpose of exploring opportunities to foster collaboration at the hearings and possibly combining changes. More Information: BCAP IGCC Code News | DOE April 14 Meeting | 2012 IGCC Schedule Top

BUILDING SAFETY MONTH

Alert Status: May 2011 marks the 31st year the International Code Council has celebrated safe and sustainable construction practices around the world. The expanded Building Safety Month will highlight gaps in knowledge and education across the U.S. and globally where construction codes are poorly understood or used improperly. Week One (May 1-7) celebrates Energy and Green Building, spotlighting the latest advancements in sustainable design and building practices. Learn more at www.buildingsafetymonth.org. More Information: BCAP News Release | Building Safety Month | Week One: Energy and Green Building Top

EVENTS, HEARINGS,

AND

***** COMMENT DEADLINES

Fri, Apr 1: Texas 2011 Texas BEPS (2009 IECC) for non-residential buildings effective Mon-Thur, Apr 4-7: Montana Sixth Annual Building Code Education Conference in Bozeman, MT Sun, May 1: ICC May 2011 is Building Safety Month Fri, May 13: Hawaii Department of BEDT Building Code Seminar in Honolulu, HI Mon-Sun, May 16-22: ICC 2012 IGCC Code Development Hearings in Dallas, TX Wed, Jun 1: Kentucky Mandatory enforcement of 2007 KBC (9th Ed.) Wed-Sun, Nov 2-6: ICC 2012 IGCC Final Action Hearings in Phoenix, AZ Top

BCAP Events Calendar

*****
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