LET THE STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL KNOW YOUR OPINION ON THE UPDATED ENERGY AND BUILDING CODES AT THEIR HEARINGS NEXT WEEK!
- Commercial Code Proposal
- Commercial Cost Benefits Analysis
- Residential Code Proposal
- Residential Code Benefits Analysis
The Washington State Building Code Council (SBCC) will be holding two hybrid hearings next week on their updated 2021 Energy and Building Codes. The SBCC delayed and revised the 2021 codes that were adopted last year in response to both the Berkeley lawsuit regarding natural gas bans and other challenges with implementation. Currently, implementation of the new codes is expected for March 2024 to give the SBCC time to implement new language to meet potential federal preemption issues.
WE NEED YOU TO PROVIDE INPUT!
The updated code language still creates significant issues regarding the ability to have natural gas and even propane available for new buildings:
- The code contains even fewer credit options than the previous code version if using natural gas or propane which will make it less likely to see builders utilizing these fuels even for back up purposes. This significantly increases the costs and discourages back up fuel for power outages and other purposes when electricity fails.
- Carbon emissions need to be removed from Energy Equalization Credits Table and Section R 406.2. Currently, these provisions result in double-counting appliances which is a federal preemption violation. In addition, the SBCC has no mandate from the Legislature to reduce carbon emissions, their focus is supposed to be making buildings more energy efficient.
URGE THE COUNCIL TO DO THE FOLLOWING:
- Skip the 2021 code cycle entirely and move on with the 2024 IECC. This brings our state in line with the rest of the country and provides more consistency and efficiency to our building processes. We can do this because the energy analysis completed by the SBCC shows we’re surpassing the current target and are set to accomplish the goal of reducing energy use in buildings by 70% by 2031.
- Adopt a performance pathway that: provides homeowners with choices to back up electrical systems; clearly reduces the costs of energy code compliance to lower the price of construction; reduces costs of energy code compliance; allows home buyers the ability to maximize tax rebates; and saves local jurisdictions time in administering code compliance.
HERE’S HOW TO TAKE ACTION:
Sign in at the link below to testify at one of the two public hearings either in-person or via Zoom:
- November 21, 2023 • 10 am – 2 pm • Yakima City Hall, Council Chambers: 129 N 2nd St., Yakima, WA
- November 22, 2023 • 10 am – 2 pm • Dept. of Enterprise Services, First Floor Presentation Room: 1500 Jefferson Street, Olympia, WA 98504
Send written testimony by 5 p.m. on November 22nd to [email protected].
MORE TALKING POINTS YOU CAN USE!
- The proposed energy code adds a minimum of $9,200 to the cost of a new home. According to a recent report by the National Association of Home Builders, a median-priced new home in Washington already costs $210,000 more than the national average — $635,131 compared to the national average of $425,786. At that price, nearly 81 percent of Washington’s 3.1 million households can’t afford a home.
- Roughly one-third of Washington households use natural gas as their primary energy source for home heating, according to the Energy Information Administration.
- The new codes will put extra strain on what experts agree is an already fragile regional electricity grid, boosting the risk of outages when homes and businesses most need the energy (i.e. cold weather). The natural gas system is underground and protected from the snow, ice and wind storms that often disrupt electricity service in our region.
- The new code will restrict the personal decisions that should be made by homeowners and businesses to choose the appliances that make the most sense for them. Today, you can buy any appliance you want to serve your purpose and preference. The choice will be limited to electric appliances if these codes go into effect.
- The new code will prevent homeowners and others from installing needed back up systems, such as fireplaces, in the event of power outages leaving Washington State citizens in the cold!
