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News from Codes for Climate
The Codes for Climate team has been busy helping cities and states take bold action on climate change. As we inch closer to the public comment period for the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), we are taking all the necessary steps to ensure the maximum number of climate-aligned proposals get approved.

For an overview of the IECC code development process, check out this recent blog from NRDC. 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 and Standards Development Updates

The International Code Council (ICC) residential and commercial code development process for the 2024 IECC is underway. Committee and subcommittees meet frequently to evaluate code change proposals. Over the past month, the full consensus committees approved several NBI code proposals, including:

  • CECPI-2 was approved by the full Commercial Consensus Committee. This proposal—a result of a collaboration between NBI and U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE) with input from working group members from Solar Energy Industries Association, California Energy Commission, 2050 Partners, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, and the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs—requires all new commercial buildings to install renewable energy generation on site.
  • CEPI-58 was approved by the full Commercial Consensus Committee. This proposal amends the air leakage testing requirements for multifamily commercial buildings, and its success included critical support from Steven Winter Associates and Holt Weston Consultancy.
  • REPI-28 was approved by the full Residential Consensus Committee. This proposal accepted modifications based on NBI’s REPI-29 and included collaboration with manufacturers, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, and 2050 Partners to create a consensus version. It requires better performance from windows across all climate zones.

The status of key NBI-submitted proposals from past months’ consensus committee meetings is available here. For more information about upcoming meetings, see the ICC Codes and Standards calendar.
Federal, State and Local Action Updates

  • In Maryland, the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 (SB 528) became law. 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. The law goes into effect June 1, 2022. 

  • In Washington, Governor Inslee signed the Clean Buildings expansion bill into law. The law requires the Washington State Department of Commerce to develop and implement an energy performance standard for buildings 20,000 square feet or larger, including multifamily buildings, and provide incentives to encourage efficiency improvements. Learn more. 

  • The Washington State Building Code Council voted to adopt a revised energy code that requires most new commercial buildings and large multifamily buildings to install electric heat pumps for space and water heating. Learn more.

  • The Codes for Climate team has turned its attention to the DOE’s request for information for a potential future funding opportunity announcement that would support state-led energy code advancement. Responses are due no later than May 20 at 5pm ET. If you have questions or are interested in opening up a conversation about potential future work related to the RFI or the Infrastructure Bill, please reach out to Erin Beddingfield.
In the News
Concrete Products and Building Green both reported on NBI’s new report, "Lifecycle GHG Impacts in Building Codes". The report provides potential CO2 benchmarks for certain products, such as ready mixed concrete, rebar, and structural steel, to be incorporated into both building codes and architectural specifications.
New Resources
NBI’s "Cost Study of the Building Decarbonization Code", released April 14, confirms the potential cost savings of electrifying buildings.

The study analyzes the incremental first cost and life cycle cost of two common building types that follow the code language in NBI’s Building Decarbonization Code. Learn more.