State Building Code Council Set to File 2021 Energy Code that Will Limit the Ability to Use Natural Gas in New Residential Construction
The Washington State Building Code Council is expected to introduce a “CR-102” of the proposed 2021 Residential Building and Energy Codes at some point during the week of August 22nd. Once this happens, the public comment period on these rules will open and hearings will be scheduled. The CR-102 is the second step of a very long rule-making process, ending with the adoption of the rules under what is called a “CR-103.” At that point, building and energy codes must sit through a legislative session, ostensibly to give the Legislature a chance to weigh in prior to the code's effective date of July 1, 2023.
NWHPBA has been very active in trying to bring reason to the State Building Code Council process when it comes to changes in both the energy code and the general building codes.
While there are many concerns with the proposed energy code, the key concerns for the hearth industry surround the requirement to install heat pump furnaces and heat pump water heaters in all new construction, with few exceptions. While the language is silent on fuel type in the residential code, it is believed that the push will be for these to be electric only, thus decreasing fuel choice for customers. The lack of ability to run new gas lines to residential construction will be exacerbated by the requirement that heat pumps and heat pump water heaters be electric-only in new commercial construction.
In addition to this requirement and other concerns that changes will significantly increase the cost of building a home, a last-minute change before the Council put the rules forward seems to give extra incentive in the options table to only utilize electric appliances and thus will further erode the ability to put gas appliances. A problem that will also impact cost and resiliency.
There are many questions surrounding these rules, in particular, the accuracy of economic impact estimates. Other process questions have arisen, including questions about the make-up of the technical advisory groups themselves.
Click on THIS LINK to see the proposed energy code changes. If you want to review and provide comments, NWHPBA encourages you to do so and we urge you to provide comments to NWHPBA as well. On the spreadsheet, you can see the actual proposals by clicking on the “Log Number” for that proposal. You can also see what the Technical Advisory Group did, including modifications to the original proposal – simply click on “As Modified.”
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries to Clarify Workers Compensation Classifications for the Woodstove and HVAC Industries
The Department of Labor & Industries is redrafting rules pertaining to workers’ compensation classes in the woodstove and HVAC industries to better reflect the work done in these industries. There is no intent to increase workers’ compensation rates through these rules.
To review the rules, CLICK HERE. Please let your lobbyist Carolyn Logue know if you have any concerns. If you want information on how to provide comments or participate in the September 6th hearing – click HERE.
Public Comment Being Accepted on Low Carbon Fuel Standard, Air Quality Fee Rulemaking through Aug. 31
In 2021, the Legislature passed a bill to create the Transportation Fuel – Clean Fuels Program, which was billed as a way to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from the transportation sector and spur the deployment of clean-fuel technology.
The law requires the state Department of Ecology to create the rules and administer the program. This month, Ecology proposed the new rules to implement a Low-Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) and the Air Quality Fee rule.
Public comments on the rules will be accepted July 18-Aug. 31. The public can offer their thoughts via the following options:
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Comment online: Please note, any information (e.g., personal or contact) you provide in a comment or in an attachment will be publicly disclosed and posted on the Internet.
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Attend the online public hearing on Aug. 23, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Register in advance here. Find a call-in number here and use meeting ID: 810 1368 6463.
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Mail to: Rachel Assink, Department of Ecology, Air Quality Program, PO Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600
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