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Week of May 3, 2010

*To join or remove yourself from this mailing list, please email your request to Paul Karrer at pkarrer@ase.org.*

CODE ALERT BULLETIN


Brought to you by the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP) and its new 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 of building energy codes. Each bulletin will highlight immediate
opportunities to influence the outcome of state and local policy, indicate code status, and recommend action. We
believe that by broad dissemination of these opportunities among energy efficiency supporters, we will
collectively increase our impact at the state and local level and improve the outcome of policy debates and
legislative and regulatory proceedings.

We invite you to pass this email along to others who support energy efficiency improvements at the state and
local level and would like to receive this information.

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

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*Events*
EE Global 2010 – LAST CHANCE to Register! 10% Off Promo Code!

*Newest Alerts*
Colorado – Denver Completes 2009 IECC Amendments; City Council Ordinance Next Up
Delaware – BCAP Hosting Model Code Training Sessions in May and June
Florida – Public Comment Deadline on Code Change Proposals Now May 31
Georgia1 – State Codes Program Averts Funding Cuts
Georgia2 – 2009 IECC Task Force Completes Amendment Work
Georgia3 – Green Code Task Force May 20 Meeting Cancelled
Hawaii – 2009 IECC Review Committee Meeting May 6
New York – Code Council Officially Adopts Model Codes, Effective in December
Oregon – Reach Code Amendment Proposals Deadline Extended to May 28
Wisconsin – Comprehensive Energy Legislation Dies on Earth Day

U.S. Congress – House Passes Home Star Energy Retrofits Act


DOE – Solicits Information on How to Better Assist State Energy Code Compliance
ICC – IGCC Version 1.0 Public Comment Deadline May 14, Hearings August 14-22

*Calendar*

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EE Global 2010
Alert Status: Join over 700 of energy efficiency’s most notable leaders, representing 40+ countries, at the Energy
Efficiency Global Forum & Exposition (EE Global), being held May 10-12, 2010 at the Washington DC Convention
Center. With over 80% of 2009 participants self-identifying as executives or managers, EE Global 2010 will provide
access to decision makers and offer executive-level insight and dialogue. Focusing solely on energy efficiency from the
perspective of all energy end-use sectors (buildings, industrial and transportation), and with coverage of all cross-
cutting issues (finance, policy, technology, and market transformation), EE Global serves as an exchange of best
practices and policies for global implementation of energy efficiency.
Visit www.eeglobalforum.org for detailed information about this exciting event! Enter our registration sweepstakes
for the chance to win a free registration. Friends of BCAP can save even more by using the special promotional code
“ASEB” to receive an extra 10% off!
More Information: EE Global Home | Registration
Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Paul Karrer with BCAP [pkarrer@ase.org]
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Colorado
Alert Status: On December 1, 2009, the City and County of Denver Development Services Department began the public
consideration of the 2010 Denver Building Code, comprised of the 2009 International Code Council (ICC) Codes –
including the 2009 IECC – and proposed Amendments. During a series of seven public hearings early this year, the
Combined Board of Appeals (CBOA) heard stakeholders' statements and selected the amendments to include in the
2010 Denver Building Code.
The final version of the Codes will be submitted, as an ordinance, to City Council. When City Council approves the
proposed ordinance it will contain rules for the transition from the current 2008 Denver Building Code to the new code,
tentatively scheduled for summer of 2010. As the schedule for passage of the adopting ordinance becomes available it
will be included in the information at www.DenverGov.org/Building.
As a home rule state, Colorado adopts and enforces building energy codes at the local level. While there is no de jure
statewide minimum energy code, HB 07-1146 has established the 2003 IECC as a (more or less) de facto statewide
energy code. According to PNNL, 16 jurisdictions have adopted the 2009 IECC since July 2009 (ICC lists 13, as of March
29), and 36 more (including Denver) have stated plans to do so by the end of 2011.
More Information: BCAP Colorado Code News | Next Steps Notice | Continuing Amendments | HB 07-1146 | Energy
Codes in the Home Rule West
Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Paul Karrer with BCAP [pkarrer@ase.org]
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Delaware
Alert Status: To prepare the state for its upcoming new energy codes (2009 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2007), the Delaware
Energy Office (partnering with BCAP and Newport Ventures) will be offering six training sessions in three locations
throughout the state in May and June. Georgetown (May 18 and 19), Dover (May 25 and 26), and Newark (June 8 and
9) will each host two separate sessions comprised of 4-hour residential and commercial modules back-to-back.
To register, email Marguerite Carroll at mcarroll@newportpartnersllc.com. Please include “Training” on the subject
line of your email along with names of all attendees, company name, address, phone number, and desired session(s).
More Information: BCAP Delaware Code News | Informational Flyer | SB 59
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Georgia1
Alert Status: On April 22, the agency that administers Georgia’s state building codes was put in serious jeopardy. During
deliberations on the state’s FY2011budget, the Georgia Senate voted to remove all of the state’s appropriations for the
Georgia Construction Codes and Industrialized Buildings Program. Funding of $218,821 had been recommended by
the governor and approved in the House budget bill. The codes program’s staff acted quickly to alert advocates like
BCAP to send emails and place phone calls to Georgia legislators to support full funding for the agency.
Thanks to the actions of supporters like you, House and Senate negotiators in the legislation’s conference committee
restored full funding to the program in the final conference report, which was approved by the Legislature on April 29
(see here on page 29, Section 16.1.4). The codes program looks to continue its work developing an enhanced version of
the 2009 IECC and a residential green building code for implementation in January 2011.
More Information: BCAP Georgia Code News | Final FY2011 Conference Report | Georgia Construction Codes and
Industrialized Buildings Program
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Georgia2
Alert Status: The last meeting of the 2009 IECC Task Force was held on April 22. All proposed amendments to the 2009
IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2007 have been reviewed and considered. The online Amendment Report includes all of the
proposed amendments and the action taken on each one. Please refer to the ‘Notes’ section for the items voted on at
the April 22 meeting. An effective date for the new code is scheduled for January 1, 2011. For more information, visit
the Task Force homepage.
More Information: BCAP Georgia Code News | Amendment Report | 2009 IECC Task Force Homepage
Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Brian Sernulka with BCAP [bsernulka@ase.org] or Eric Lacey
with RECA [eric.lacey@bbrslaw.com]
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Georgia3
Alert Status: The Georgia Residential Green Building Code Task Force meeting scheduled for May 20 has been
cancelled. The next meeting has been scheduled for June 15 in Atlanta, which may be the last meeting. All meeting
agendas, meeting minutes, and proposed amendments to the ICC-700 are available at the Task Force’s homepage.
More Information: BCAP Georgia Code News | 2010 Meeting Dates | RGBC Homepage
Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Brian Sernulka with BCAP [bsernulka@ase.org] or Eric Lacey
with RECA [eric.lacey@bbrslaw.com]
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Hawaii
Alert Status: Work continues in Hawaii on the development of a statewide code to be based on the 2009 IECC. The 2009
IECC subcommittee of the Dept. of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism met on February 9 in Honolulu.
Minutes from the Oct. 13, Nov. 4, Dec. 8, Jan. 12 (revised), and Feb. 9 meetings are now also available. The next
meeting is scheduled for May 6 in Honolulu.
More Information: BCAP Hawaii Code Status | May 6 Agenda
Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Paul Karrer with BCAP [pkarrer@ase.org]
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New York
Alert Status: On April 1, 2010, the State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council voted to update the Uniform Fire
Prevention and Building Code (Uniform Code) and the Energy Conservation Construction Code of New York State. The
updated Uniform Code is based on the 2006 International family of codes, and the 2010 ECCCNYS will be based on the
2009 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2007, along with several NYS specific enhancements (the current ECCCNYS is based on the
2004 IECC supplement and ASHRAE 90.1-2004).
It is expected that the new Code Books will be available in August 2010. Therefore, it is anticipated that the Notice of
Adoption for the Uniform Code and the Energy Code will be published in the State Register in mid-September 2010.
This will begin the 90 day transition period for the Uniform Code (per the energy Law, the Energy Code has no
transition period). Based on the anticipated filing date and the 90 transition period, the codes will have an effective
date of mid-December 2010. Future e-mail bulletins will be distributed to confirm the dates. Updates will also be
available on the Codes Division website.
More Information: BCAP New York Code News | NYS-DOS Press Release | Training Info: In-Service & Online | Draft
Codes
Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Mike DeWein with BCAP [mdewein@ase.org] or Monica
Schneider with BCAP [mschneider@ase.org]
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Oregon
Alert Status: The Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD) has extended the deadline for code change proposals relating
to construction practice or methods related to energy efficiency for possible adoption in Oregon’s first Reach Code.
BCD has identified the 2012 International Green Construction Code Version 1.0 as the model document for this code.
All code change proposals related to energy efficient buildings must be submitted by 5:00 pm PDT on May 28. BCD will
utilize the public proposals submitted by the May deadline and discussions from the Reach Code committee to develop
an Oregon Reach Code to present to the appropriate advisory board or boards by September 2010, for an anticipated
code adoption date of April 1, 2011.
More Information: BCAP Oregon Code News | Oregon Reach Code Committee | ODJC News Article | Oregon SB 79 |
Oregon BCD
Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Paul Karrer with BCAP [pkarrer@ase.org]
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Wisconsin
Alert Status: On January 6, the Clean Energy Jobs Act (AB 649) was introduced in the Wisconsin Legislature. The
comprehensive energy legislation called for the Department of Commerce, Division of Safety and Buildings to review
the state’s energy conservation codes for commercial and residential buildings and promulgate rules that conform to
the energy standards of a “generally accepted code” (i.e. the IECC or one that provides equivalent energy savings). The
Department is to publish these rules within 18 months of the publication of the generally accepted code. AB 649 also
asserts the state’s goal of all new commercial and residential buildings consuming zero net energy by 2030.
On April 22, the state Senate finished its two-year session without voting on the bill after Democratic leaders balked at
reports that the measure would drive up utility rates. On April 23, Gov. Jim Doyle stated that he will not call a special
legislative session to address the bill.
More Information: BCAP Wisconsin Code News | AB 649: Home & Text (summary on p. 5 and 23, language on p.62) |
Bill FAQs
Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Isaac Elnecave of MEEA [ielnecave@mwalliance.org] or Paul
Karrer with BCAP [pkarrer@ase.org]
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U.S. Congress
Alert Status: On May 6, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Home Star Energy Retrofits Act (H.R. 5019),
legislation that would provide on-the-spot rebates for homeowners who make energy efficiency home improvements
and create as many as 168,000 American construction jobs over the next two years.
Home Star would provide rebates to homeowners who retrofit their homes with energy efficient equipment and
materials, including insulation, windows, and heating & cooling equipment. The legislation would create two rebate
programs, one for such specific improvements and one for whole-home energy-use reductions. The first category of
rebates would be for up to $3,000 per home, the second for up to $8,000.
A summary of the bill by the Alliance to Save Energy is available at http://ase.org/content/article/detail/6614.
More Information: BCAP Home Star Code News | Alliance to Save Energy Bill Summary
Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Paul Karrer with BCAP [pkarrer@ase.org]
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DOE
Alert Status: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is soliciting information on how it can better assist the states to
adopt, implement, enforce, and assess compliance with the current model building energy codes or their equivalent.
DOE is interested in better understanding the barriers and issues involved and the needs, resources, materials and
other technical assistance required to accomplish the goal of increased adoption and compliance with the latest model
building energy codes (2009 IECC and ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007).
DOE is publishing this request for information to allow interested parties to provide suggestions, comments, and other
information. This notice identifies several areas in which DOE is particularly interested in receiving information;
however, any input and suggestions considered relevant to the topic are welcome. Written comments and information
are requested by May 21, 2010.
More Information: BCAP DOE Code News | Federal Register 75-76 Notice
Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Paul Karrer with BCAP [pkarrer@ase.org]
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ICC
Alert Status: The International Code Council will be holding public comment hearings on the International Green
Construction Code (IGCC) Public Version 1.0 in Rosemont, Illinois from August 14-22. These hearings will involve a
review of submitted public comments received up until the May 14 deadline, along with testimony presented at the
hearings themselves. The committee’s actions resulting from this process will result in the issuance of the IGCC Public
Version 2.0 on November 3, 2010, which will serve as the working document upon which code changes will be received
and considered at the May 2011 Code Development and November 2011 Final Action Hearings on the 2012 IGCC.
More Information: BCAP IGCC Code News | IGCC Home | Public Hearings Page | Comment Form
Action: If interested in getting involved, please contact Cosimina Panetti with BCAP [cpanetti@ase.org]
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Events, Hearings, and Comment Deadlines
Mon-Wed, May 10-12: EE Global 2010 – Energy Efficiency Forum & Expo in Washington, DC
Fri, May 14: ICC – International Green Construction Code (IGCC) Public Version 1.0 comment deadline
Tues-Wed, May 18-19: Delaware – BCAP hosts model code training sessions in Georgetown, DE
Fri, May 21: DOE – Deadline to submit comments on federal assistance towards state code compliance
Tues-Wed, May 25-26: Delaware – BCAP hosts model code training sessions in Dover, DE
Fri, May 28: Oregon – Deadline to submit IGCC amendment proposals for state Reach Code to Oregon BCD
Mon, May 31: Florida – Comment period on 2010 Florida Energy Code modification proposals end
Tues-Wed, June 8-9: Delaware – BCAP hosts model code training sessions in Newark, DE
Tues, June 15: Georgia – RGBC Task Force meeting in Atlanta, GA
Thur, June 24: Montana – 2009 IECC effective statewide, including in all certified local jurisdictions
Mon-Thur, July 19-22: Energy Codes 2010 – DOE conference in Charlotte, NC
Thur, July 29: Georgia – 2009 IECC Task Force meeting in Atlanta, GA
Sat, Aug 14 – Sun, Aug 22: ICC – IGCC Version 1.0 public comment hearings in Rosemont, IL

BCAP Events Calendar

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To join or remove yourself from this mailing list,
please email your request to Paul Karrer at pkarrer@ase.org

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