State and Local Strategies for Increasing Building Energy Code Compliance

December 13, 2012

While model building energy codes have made significant progress over the past several years in prescribing energy efficiency construction requirements, and a number of states have adopted or are in the process of adopting these more stringent standards, the key to realizing the full benefits associated with building energy codes is effective enforcement and compliance. 
 
The webinar included two presentations from State Energy Office staff.  Marilyn Kaplan, Project Manager at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), presented on NYSERDA’s recent and ongoing compliance survey efforts. Marilyn also discussed how this information is informing NYSERDA’s on-going strategies for capturing energy savings through increasing energy code compliance.  Jennifer Wilson, State Energy Program Manager at the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA), highlighted the results of a recent report, “Building Department Pilot Study: Guidance on Effective Enforcement of Georgia’s Energy Code.”  The report examines building energy code enforcement practices from two jurisdictions in Georgia and identifies best practices related to building energy code compliance, including implementation of the blower door and the duct tightness testing requirements of the Georgia code (2009 IECC plus amendments).
 
Following the presentations, there was a period of Q&A for the presenters, as well as peer-sharing among all the SEOs in attendance regarding their challenges and successes pertaining to increasing building energy code compliance.

Presentations

  • Chris Wagner, NASEO
  • Marilyn Kaplan, NYSERDA
  • Jennifer Wilson, GEFA
  • Compiled compliance resources

Webinar Recording

For more information on this webinar or NASEO’s building energy code activities, please contact Chris Wagner at cwagner@naseo.org.