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News from Codes for Climate
March was a busy month, as consensus committees began reviewing proposals to the building code, residential code, and existing building code—including a key proposal from NBI on embodied carbon in structural materials. 

Meanwhile, jurisdictions across the country are going through their own processes to update energy codes. As always, the Codes for Climate team is here to support your efforts however we can. Please reach out to discuss how we can collaborate. 
Codes for Climate In the News
Codes and Standards Development Updates

The International Code Council (ICC) residential and commercial code development process for the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) is underway. Committee and subcommittee meetings happen frequently and can be tracked by following the ICC Codes and Standards calendar and tracking the Residential Consensus Committee and Commercial Consensus Committee web pages.

The 2024 IECC subcommittees have begun meeting to evaluate code change proposals. Both the Residential and Commercial consensus committees have approved several NBI code proposals, including:

  • CECPI-1 was approved by the full Commercial Consensus Committee. This proposal, a result of a collaboration between NBI, ChargePoint, Edison Electric Institute (EEI), other national electric vehicle partners, and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), requires a certain percentage of parking spaces for new commercial buildings to have EV chargers, and a certain percentage to have the infrastructure to be able to cost-effectively install chargers in the future.
  • CEPI-012-21 Part II was approved by the full Commercial Consensus Committee. This proposal allows only biomass waste to count as a renewable energy resource.  
  • CEPI-185 was approved by the full Commercial Consensus Committee. This proposal increases the efficacy of lighting used in horticultural facilities.  
  • REPI-69 was approved by the full Residential Consensus Committee. This proposal Aligns requirements for multifamily buildings across commercial and residential provisions.

The status of key NBI-submitted proposals from past months’ consensus committee meetings is available here.
Federal, State and Local Action Updates

  • The Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 (SB 528) passed both chambers of the Maryland State Legislature and has gone to Governor Hogan for signature. As written, the law sets a state target of net zero emissions by 2045 and establishes new and alters existing energy conservation requirements for buildings, among other key provisions. Once finalized, the law goes into effect June 1, 2022. 

  1. Transitioning all states where ENERGY STAR Single-Family New Homes Version 3.0 is still in effect to Version 3.1
  2. Introducing new versions of both the Single-Family New Homes and Multifamily New Construction program requirements
  3. Introducing a new companion certification label to the current ENERGY STAR program for residential new construction.

Submit feedback on all initiatives by April 15, 2022. 

  • On March 29, DOE announced that 22 communities would receive funding and support through the Communities Local Energy Action Program (C-LEAP). The communities will receive support to create community action plans to support environmental improvements, support the clean energy economy, lower utility costs and increase local workforce opportunities. 

  • On March 30, DOE released requirements that all new federal buildings and major retrofits comply with the 2021 IECC and 2019 ASHRAE 90.1 by April 2023. DOE estimates that this will save $4.2 million dollars in operating costs within its first year. 
New Resources
NBI’s Lifecycle GHG Impacts in Building Codes presents draft code language for embodied carbon requirements.