Emission, energy reduction at heart of proposed building code
The Sierra Club and the U.S. Conference of Mayors are supporting a revision of building codes for new homes that supporters say would boost energy efficiency by 30 percent -- to cut emissions of greenhouse gases and reduce utility bills.
The proposed changes will be considered by the International Code Council in Minneapolis in September, when building inspectors and code officials meet to revise the model building code that many state and local jurisdictions use to develop their own regulations.
The International Energy Conservation Code is updated every three years, and the newest version will be published in 2009.
The "30% Solution" developed by the Energy Efficient Codes Coalition is a package of proposals that the coalition says uses proven, readily available technologies such as efficient lighting, insulation, building air tightness and efficient heating and air conditioning equipment to slash energy use.
"Homes are around for a long time. If the whole state of Wisconsin opts into a revised code, substantial energy could be saved and carbon dioxide emissions reduced, using technology that is already out there," said Shahla Werner, director of the Sierra Club's statewide John Muir Chapter, which is encouraging Wisconsin cities to send delegates to the council meeting.
The Sierra Club contends that by 2030, the 30 percent solution would save $88 billion in energy costs while reducing heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions by 464 million metric tons.
"Because homes use 20 percent of our nation's energy and account for roughly one-fifth of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, this obscure September vote at the International Code Council's annual meeting in Minneapolis may be America's most significant energy, environmental and climate policy vote of 2008," said William Fay, coordinator of the coalition proposing the 30% Solution.
But Fay, whose organization includes representatives of governments, environmental groups, utilities, businesses and consumers, warned that the ICC's triennial process in revising the model code is "a lot like the Iowa Caucus."
"The success or failure of this important initiative depends on the eligible voters who are actually present in the room when the vote takes place ... sometime between September 17 and 23," he said.
Bob DuPont of the safety and buildings division in the Wisconsin Department of Commerce said the department has not decided whether to attend the Code Council meeting.
"We are still looking at the agenda," DuPont said. "We are watching out-of state travel pretty closely." (The state is having financial difficulties and the former department secretary left during a controversy about his travel expenses.)
The state adopted the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code for commercial and multi-family structures, DuPont said, but not for one-family or two-family homes, for which Wisconsin has a state-specific code.
Fay said the proposed code for new residences would apply to all single-family homes, duplexes and townhouses, as well as condominium and apartment buildings with three or fewer stories.
In Wisconsin, municipalities must meet the level of the state code. They may adopt more restrictive requirements, but not less restrictive measures.
