About the Energy Efficient Codes Coalition

Who is the Energy Efficient Codes Coalition?

EECC formed to join a growing chorus supporting an ambitious leap forward in energy efficiency.

Calls for an improved energy code are coming from an increasing number of highly respected governmental and other bodies like the EPA/DOE National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency, ASHRAE, Western Governors Association, US Department of Energy, National Petroleum Council, American Institute of Architects, and Mayors for Climate Protection. Given the major role of America’s homes and buildings in energy and electricity consumption and the national specter of an energy crisis, these and other policymakers and influencers are recognizing that substantial and immediate energy efficiency improvements in building construction are imperative.

Who is the Energy Efficient Codes Coalition?

The Energy Efficient Codes Coalition was established to answer these calls.  EECC is a unique, broad-based alliance of energy efficiency advocates who have adopted the goal of a 30% improvement in residential energy efficiency in the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) published by the International Code Council (ICC).

Led by the Alliance to Save Energy, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, and the Edison Electric Institute, the EECC unites longstanding energy efficiency advocates – from government, regional energy efficiency networks, environmental groups, utilities and businesses – who are familiar with the ICC and other code-writing organizations.

Our Mission:  The Adoption of an Achievable and Affordable 30% Solution

EECC’s premise is that a 30% improvement in the 2009 residential energy code is achievable and affordable using reasonable building practices and today’s “state-of-the-shelf” technologies. In a substantial effort that began in early 2007, the EECC compiled a package of code change proposals to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and the International Residential Code (IRC) that we believe will achieve this goal nationwide.

The result, which we call “The 30% Solution,” is the only comprehensive proposal designed to achieve the ambitious, yet achievable, goal of boosting residential energy efficiency by 30% in the 2009 IECC.  It would set more aggressive standards in every part of the house – space heating and cooling, thermal envelope, air sealing, hot water heating and lighting. Even if supporters may not have an interest in every single proposal, all EECC supporters endorse the overall goal of a 30% improvement to the residential energy provisions of the IECC.

The EECC has also evaluated the full list of IECC proposals submitted for 2009 and identified others that will also increase energy efficiency in the code.  The EECC supports these proposals in addition to “The 30% Solution” as a pathway to a more effective and appropriate energy code.

Our Approach:  Shine a National Spotlight on the Importance of the IECC

The EECC is mounting a first-of-its-kind comprehensive effort to win:

1. Endorsement of a 30% residential energy code improvement by the ICC Code Development Committee at its February meeting in Palm Springs by approving strengthening proposals, and
2. Its adoption by the full ICC at the final hearings in Minneapolis this September.

We hope that the efforts of the EECC will shine a national spotlight on the crucial importance of adopting substantial improvements in energy efficiency in building codes without delay.

Participation in the ICC Process

We urge anyone interested in improving building codes, and particularly the nationally-recognized residential provisions of the ICC energy conservation code, the IECC, to participate in the ICC code change process. Complete information on how to participate can be found on the ICC’s website at http://www.iccsafe.org/.

The ICC hearings provide an open forum at which all experts and interested parties, from all sectors of the building industry, participate equally in a fair, transparent process for determining the future of the nation’s residential building codes. Although there may exist other more limited opportunities to explore or debate these ideas outside of the ICC process, the EECC will primarily focus its energy and resources on the ICC meetings in Palm Springs, California in February and in Minneapolis, Minnesota in September.

Join us!

The EECC is compiling a growing list of supporters and advocates, and we invite you to join us in our efforts to start a new era in homebuilding. If you have any comments on the EECC’s proposals, or if you would like to be listed as a supporter, please email us.