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Summer 2005
Newsletter Contents:
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Guest Highlight
NAIMA Explains Why the 2004 IECC Provides Cost Effective Energy Savings for States. |
Alliance to Save Energy Column
Learn About the Alliance's Involvement in a New Campaign Aimed at Motivating Kids to Save Energy. |
State Updates
California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin |
RECA Report
Get the Latest on the Work of the Responsible Energy Codes Alliance (RECA).
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The Alliance Wants to Hear from You!
Contact us with suggestions or comments.
Click here to subscribe to the State Energy Efficiency Policy Bulletin
View Archives
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2004 IECC Provides Cost Effective Energy Savings for States
by Kate Offringa
Director, Federal and State Programs
North American Insulation Manufacturers Association
States have a new opportunity to save money and protect the environment. The latest version of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), the code that covers energy use in buildings, is available for consideration and adoption at the state level. This improved version of the code provides states with an important tool to achieve savings on the $160 billion that American homeowners spend every year to heat, cool and light their homes. Increased energy efficiency in buildings that can be achieved by using this new code is also a means for states to reduce the 43% of total U.S. carbon emissions attributed to energy use in buildings.
The 2004 IECC includes changes designed to simplify the code and boost compliance. The most significant change is that builders no longer need to calculate the window-to-wall area ratio of a home. The new code requirements are based simply on climate zones. Builders need only look up window U-factor and insulation R-value requirements in a table and begin building. The numbers in the table reflect an increase in energy efficiency for windows and insulation, mainly in the southern part of the country.
ICF Consulting, a leading consultant to the Energy Star program, recently conducted an analysis of the cost-effectiveness of increased R-values in the code. Using the DOE2.1E simulation program, ICF ran 1.23 million simulations of home energy performance. An earlier study by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory that analyzed only one insulation scenario caused some confusion about the value and cost-effectiveness of this code.
Examining 324 house configurations, four wall insulation-upgrade scenarios, and five distinct climate zones, ICF found the increased insulation R-value requirements in the 2004 IECC to be a cost-effective measure for energy savings in homes. According to the extensive ICF analysis, the code can be met cost-effectively, and energy can be saved, using typical insulation products and current building practices. At least one of the wall insulation scenarios analyzed had a payback of zero years. Certain insulation scenarios were shown to offer homeowners a positive cash flow up to $89 per year; and most actually reduced the first cost of homes.
Financial savings were calculated by ICF based on an assumption of fixed fuel prices for the period of the analysis. Therefore, savings from compliance with the 2004 IECC would be even greater than those reported if fuel prices were to continue to increase, a likely scenario. Such savings will vary by climate.
To access a copy of the report summarized in this article, please see www.naima.org/icf. For more information on the 2004 IECC, please visit the International Code Council at www.iccsafe.org. For assistance with code consideration and adoption in your state, please contact the Building Codes Assistance Project at www.bcap-energy.org.
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Ad Council ‘Energy Hog’ Campaign Finds New Home At Alliance to Save Energy
by Maria Ellingson
Campaign Director, Alliance to Save Energy
Washington, D.C., July 15, 2005 –A black-leather-jacket-wearing, half-human/half-hog creature has  moved in to the Alliance to Save Energy’s Washington, DC, headquarters. The dastardly Energy Hog character is bent on wasting energy and is the “spokesvillian” for the Ad Council’s campaign to raise awareness about the importance of energy efficiency. The public awareness campaign is sponsored by 21 federal, state, and corporate partners - including 18 state energy offices - to provide families with simple steps for saving energy and reducing their home energy bills.
“As energy prices continue to rise, this campaign is more important than ever,” said Alliance President Kateri Callahan. “Only by becoming more energy-efficient can we hope to lower consumption and help to bring price relief to families for the benefit of our economy, environment, and our national energy security.”
Joining the ranks of other famous Ad Council character icons such as Smokey Bear and McGruff the Crime Dog, the Energy Hog is featured in TV  and radio public service advertisements (PSAs) for “tweens” ages 8-13 and will soon be featured in newspaper, magazine, and out-of-home PSAs targeted to adults. In its first year alone, the campaign garnered more than $31 million in donated advertising time and space, putting it into the “Top 10” campaign of all current Ad Council campaigns. The website, www.energyhog.org gets more than 50,000 unique visitors each month.
The campaign is designed to raise awareness of the benefits of reducing our demand for energy. Although energy prices are rising, consumers can take simple steps to reduce their home energy bills.
The Alliance to Save Energy has partnered with the Ad Council to become the new non-profit sponsor of the campaign, following its origin at Energy Outreach Colorado. The Alliance will expand the campaign to include school outreach and expand the web site to provide adults with ways to reduce home energy bills.
Currently, the campaign is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, The Home Depot, the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association, New Jersey Natural Gas, and 18 state energy offices. Additional sponsors are welcome. To inquire, call Maria Ellingson at (202) 530-2247.
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California
House Bill 1332 Second House Appropriations Committee Hearing 5/25/05.
HB 1332 would require the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to set minimum energy efficiency standards for distributed generation technologies.
Click here for more information.
House Bill 1365 Passed the House 5/31/05, Passed Senate Committee on Environmental Quality 7/12/05
HB 1365 would make reductions in greenhouse gas emissions of at least 7% by 2010 and 10% by 2020, based on 1990 levels, a state planning priority.
Click here for more information.
House Bill 1660 Passed House 5/19/05, Referred to Senate Committee on Appropriations 7/11/05
HB 1660 would create the California Energy-Efficient Vehicle Group Purchase Program in the Department of General Services to encourage the purchase of energy-efficient vehicles by local and state agencies through a group-purchasing program.
Click here for more information.
House Joint Resolution 5 Passed the House 4/28/05, Passed Senate 7/11/05 and Sent Back to House 7/12/05
HJR 5 would memorialize the Congress and the President of the United States to take necessary action to increase corporate average fuel economy standards by at least 1.5 miles per gallon per year until total average fuel economy for new light-duty motor vehicles sold in California is double the current average.
Click here for more information.
Senate Bill 757 Passed the Senate 5/31/05, Received Unfavorable Report from Assembly Committees on Transportation and Utilities and Commerce, but Reconsideration Granted 6/27/05
SB 757 would, among other measures, require the California Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to adopt recommendations, policies and programs by January 1, 2007, to reduce the rate of growth in petroleum consumption and increase transportation energy efficiency and alternative fuel use. It would also require the secretary of the California EPA to take action to influence the U.S. Congress and Department of Transportation to double the combined fuel economy of cars and light trucks by 2020.
Click here for more information.
Senate Bill 769 Passed the Senate 5/26/05, Referred to House Committee on Appropriations 7/1/05
SB 769 would establish the Energy Reliability and Affordability Act, effective through December 31, 2011, to reduce the demand for energy for ratepayers residing in low-income residential rental units. The goal would be to replace a minimum of 50,000 energy inefficient refrigerators per year in low-income residences.
Click here for more information.
Senate Bill 1037 Passed the Senate 6/2/05, Received Favorable Report From Assembly Committee on Natural Resources 7/6/05
SB 1037 would require the Public Utilities Commission to establish electricity efficiency savings targets based on an evaluation of all plausible cost-effective savings and to require electrical utilities to first acquire all available energy efficiency and demand reduction resources that are cost-effective and reliable when implementing their procurement plan.
Click here for more information.
Colorado
House Bill 1133 Vetoed by the Governor 6/3/05
HB 1133 would have authorized local governments to require investor-owned electric and gas utilities to collect an energy efficiency surcharge from customers and to direct the revenue into programs that promote the installation of cost-saving energy efficiency measures.
Click here for more information.
Connecticut
House Bill 6906 Passed House & Sent to Senate 6/8/05
HB 6906 would void any legislation that directs or expends money from the state public benefits fund, which pays primarily for energy-efficiency and low-income rate assistance programs, for other purposes.
Click here for more information.
Senate Bill 923 Passed Senate and Sent to House 6/7/05
SB 923 would require certain state-financed construction projects to meet or exceed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design’s silver building rating.
Click here for more information.
Senate Bill 1290 Passed Senate 6/3/05, Put on the House Calendar 6/4/05
SB 1290 would require a study on the merger of the Energy Conservation and Load Management Fund and the Renewable Energy Investment Fund into a newly established energy efficiency account to be administered by the Connecticut Energy Advisory Board.
Click here for more information.
Delaware
Senate Bill 73 Signed by the Governor 6/28/05
SB 73 permits state agencies to enter into energy savings performance contracts to finance energy efficiency upgrades based upon the projected savings those upgrades will generate. The agencies are guaranteed savings when using performance contracts.
Click here for more information.
Louisiana
House Bill 552 Signed by the Governor and Took Effect 6/21/05
HB 552 created a new commercial building energy code, following the ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-2001 energy codes, and the International Energy Conservation Code, 2000 edition.
Click here for more information.
House Resolution 101 Enrolled and Signed by the Speaker of the House 6/14/05, Companion Bill Senate Resolution 143 Enrolled and Signed by the President of the Senate 6/17/05
HR 101 urges and asks the Louisiana Public Service Commission to continue to work with the Louisiana Association of Community Action Partnerships to develop and implement an Energy Efficiency Fund.
Click here for more information.
Maine
House Bill 300 Signed into Law 5/13/05
HB 300 will require gas utilities that serve at least 5,000 residential consumers to implement cost-effective conservation programs promoting sustainable economic development and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants. At least 40% of the program funds must go to low-income and small business customer programs, with the rest going to conservation programs for all customers.
Click here for more information.
House Bill 999 Passed with Amendments in House 6/9/05, and in Senate 6/8/05
HB 999 would set minimum energy efficiency standards for 7 products sold or installed in Maine.
Click here for more information.
House Resolution 751 Signed into Law 6/9/05
HR 751 requires the Public Utilities Commission to propose energy efficiency standards for residential rental properties that are occupied year-round. The properties not currently meeting standards must be brought up to code by January 1, 2010 or within 90 days of sale, whichever comes first.
Click here for more information.
Maryland
House Bill 367 Signed into Law 5/10/05
HB 367 will reinstate an expired provision exempting qualified hybrid vehicles from emissions testing and inspection requirements.
Click here for more information.
Missouri
Senate Bill 122 Passed the Senate 5/20/05, Passed the House 5/26/05, Delivered to Governor 5/26/05
SB 122 would require the Office of Administration to identify and deposit into its revolving trust fund no more than 2.5 percent of the total cost savings realized when the state enters into a guaranteed energy cost savings contract. Subject to appropriation, the Office of Administration may expend the cost savings deposited in the fund to offset all reasonable costs associated with the implementation of future guaranteed energy cost savings contracts.
Click here for more information.
Nevada
House Bill 385 Passed House 5/25/05, Passed Senate and Sent Back to House 6/5/05
HB 385 would make various changes to encourage energy efficiency in construction, including a partial abatement of taxes for certain energy efficient buildings and green buildings.
Click here for more information.
House Bill 3 in the First Special Session Approved by the Governor 6/17/05
HB3 makes various changes relating to energy, conservation, construction and renovation and creates incentives (partial abatement of certain taxes) and standards for green buildings.
Click here for more information.
New Hampshire
House Bill 129 Signed into Law 7/11/05
HB 129 establishes criteria to define a high performance school, which makes a school district eligible for additional school building aid. Additionally, any utility that collects funds for energy efficiency programs would have to set aside one-third of those funds each year for eligible public school construction or renovation projects designed to improve indoor air quality or energy efficiency.
Click here for more information.
New Jersey
House Bill 3959 Introduced and Referred to the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee 5/2/05
HB 3959 would require the New Jersey Energy Star Homes Program incentives to become available statewide.
Click here for more information.
New Mexico
Legislative Executive Order 33 Released 6/9/05
LEO 33 creates the Climate Change Action Council, the New Mexico Climate Change Advisory Group (who will present proposals to the Council to reduce New Mexico’s total greenhouse gas emissions to 2000 levels by the year 2012, 10% below 2000 levels by 2020 and 75% below 2000 levels by 2050), as well as enacting other climate change studies and actions.
Click here for more information.
New York
House Bill 8293 Introduced and Referred to the House Energy Committee 5/17/05
HB 8293 would allow municipalities or public authorities to participate or enter into agreements relating to the financing of an energy performance contract.
Click here for more information.
House Bill 8352 Passed Assembly and Referred to the Senate Rules Committee 6/15/05
HB 8352 would establish a small business energy loan fund to provide zero and low interest loans or loan interest rate reductions to small businesses in economically disadvantaged areas for energy efficiency projects and advanced energy technologies.
Click here for more information.
House Bill 8424 Introduced and Referred to Assembly Ways and Means Committee 5/24/05
HB 8424 would extend the qualified hybrid vehicle tax credit to 2006, and would change the way the credit is determined, basing it on the baseline combined city and highway fuel economy. The maximum credit for a single vehicle would be $2,500.
Click here for more information.
Senate Bill 5614 Passed Senate 6/22/05, Passed Assembly and Returned to Senate 6/23/05
SB 5614 would create minimum energy-efficiency standards for thirteen appliances.
Click here for more information.
North Carolina
House Bill 1595 Referred to House Finance Committee 5/5/05
HB 1595 would establish a mobile source emissions reduction program funded by an emissions-based surcharge on vehicle registration fees.
Click here for more information.
House Bill 1766 Referred to House Finance Committee 5/12/05
HB 1766 would create a tax credit of $2,000 for the purchase or lease of alternative fueled vehicles.
Click here for more information.
Ohio
House Bill 251 Referred to the House Public Utilities/Energy Committee 5/12/05
HB 251 would require the efficient use of energy in all state facilities and would require each state college or university that receives capital appropriations for a given project to use energy efficient designs in the project.
Click here for more information.
Oklahoma
Senate Bill 610 Signed into Law 6/8/05
SB 610 will create an income tax credit of up to $4,000 for energy efficient residential construction starting January 1, 2006.
Click here for more information.
Oregon
House Bill 3328 Referred to House Budget Committee 6/6/05
HB 3328 would direct the State Department of Energy (DOE) to investigate means to reduce energy consumption in state-owned or state-funded buildings and school district buildings; would require the DOE to prepare a plan for making state-owned or state-funded buildings and school district buildings more energy efficient and installing renewable energy systems; and would encourage applications for funding to implement energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
Click here for more information.
House Bill 3363 Signed into Law 7/1/05
HB 3363 establishes minimum energy efficiency standards for eleven products, starting on January 1, 2006.
Click here for more information.
Pennsylvania
House Bill 1630 Referred to House Transportation Committee 6/6/05
HB 1630 would exempt hybrid electric vehicles from periodic vehicle inspections.
Click here for more information.
Rhode Island
House Bill 5307 Signed into Law 6/30/05
HB 5307 establishes minimum energy efficiency standards for thirteen appliances.
Click here for more information.
Texas
Senate Bill 982 Signed by the Governor 6/17/05
SB 982 requires design architects or engineers of new state buildings to certify that the construction or renovation complies with the alternative energy and energy-efficient architectural and engineering design evaluation requirements before they begin the construction or renovation.
Click here for more information.
Vermont
Senate Bill 52 Signed by the Governor 6/14/05
SB 52 will establish a renewable energy portfolio standard, new commercial building codes based on ASHRAE 90.1-2001, and minimum energy efficiency standards for 19 products.
Click here for more information.
Senate Bill 176 Referred to the Senate Finance Committee 5/3/05
SB 176 would add appropriate combined heat and power systems to the measures that an energy efficiency utility may offer, would remove the cap on the amount that can be raised by the energy efficiency charge, and would order a study of possible standards and incentives for the construction of green buildings, among other provisions relating to utility regulation.
Click here for more information.
Washington
House Bill 1397 Signed by the Governor 5/6/05
HB 1397, similar to California’s “Pavley Bill”, requires Washington to adopt California’s low emissions vehicle (LEV) program for model year 2009 and later vehicles by December 31, 2005.
Click here for more information.
Wisconsin
House Bill 546 Referred to House Committee on Energy and Utilities and Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions, 7/7/05; Senate Bill 252 is the Companion Bill.
HB 546 would create a sales and use tax exemption for fuel efficient hybrid motor vehicles that get at least forty miles per gallon.
Click here for more information.
Back to the Top
The Responsible Energy Codes Alliance (RECA) continues its work to promote adoption of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). In May and June, RECA and its members were active in Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, Washington DC, Virginia and Ohio. States to watch for code developments in the months ahead are North Carolina, Massachusetts, Iowa, and Virginia.
Click here to visit the RECA website for more information.
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