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Energy Efficient Homes Make Historic Advance

Contact: Annie Strickler, ICLEI – 510.844.0699 x328

 Strong Local Government Support Critical at International Code Council

Minneapolis, MN – Local government representatives took a giant step forward this week in approving advanced energy-efficiency requirements for new homes, despite falling short of the ultimate goals outlined in the “30% Solution.” The International Code Council (ICC) approved a 15% increase in energy efficiency building code standards for new homes, townhouses, and some apartment buildings starting in 2009, but the proposal to increase them by 30% feel just 5 votes short of the 2/3rd needed to pass.

“While we are disappointed that the ‘30% Solution’ did not pass, the notion of stronger energy efficiency standards was widely supported and gained significant and historic traction at the local level,” said Michelle Wyman, Executive Director of ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA.

“Cites, towns, and counties across the United States are proving that energy codes for buildings are a key ingredient in their recipe for climate protection success. It’s a solution that is ambitious, achievable and affordable.”

ICLEI provided travel scholarships to 28 local government officials to attend the ICC meeting and represent their jurisdiction, including Albuquerque, NM; Boulder, CO; Charlottesville, VA; Chattanooga, TN; Davis, CA; Denver, CO; Las Vegas, NV; Salt Lake City, UT; Sarasota, FL; and Washington, DC. ICLEI will be working with our members to ensure that they – local elected officials, code officials and other key parties – have the tools at their disposal to drive aggressive energy-efficient building codes forward at the local level.

The “30% Solution” incorporates “state-of-the-shelf” technologies and building practices, including improvements in the thermal envelope, insulation, windows, heating and air conditioning equipment, and lighting, to dramatically improve the energy performance of new homes. These achievable and affordable improvements reduce both the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of new residential construction, and can become the building blocks for initiatives that look to improve the energy performance of existing homes.

“Buildings are the last great frontier of wasted energy. Because these buildings last for generations and are expensive to retrofit, any successful national energy policy must include robust improvements in energy efficiency for new homes and commercial buildings,” said William Fay, Director of the Energy Efficient Codes Coalition of which ICLEI is part.

“We at the City of Sarasota early on recognized the importance of playing a leadership role and representing local government on this issue,” said Timothy Litchet, Director of Neighborhoods and Development Services for Sarasota, Florida. “While significant progress was made this year, there remains a strong need for local government action focused on the critical role that building energy codes can play to address climate change at the local level.”  

At its annual meeting in June, the U.S. Conference of Mayors unanimously passed a resolution supporting the “30% Solution.”

For more information on the “30% Solution,” please visit www.thirtypercentsolution.org.

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