To Efficiency and Beyond.

AuthorCleveland, Megan
PositionTRENDS - States strive to go beyond the building energy code requirements

Lawmakers have caught a bit of Buzz Lightyear's enthusiasm when it comes to buildings and energy efficiency.

But instead of going beyond infinity, like Buzz, they want builders to go "beyond code"--that is, beyond traditional energy code requirements for buildings. The policies they're considering incorporate established green-building rating systems: the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, known as LEED; the Green Building Initiative's Green Globes; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star; or net-zero energy requirements.

It takes a lot of energy to power buildings. Residential, government and commercial structures accounted for 39 percent of U.S. energy consumption in 2017, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

This power doesn't come cheap. The electricity required to light commercial buildings amounts to more than $35 billion a year, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates. That's before adding the costs of maintaining comfortable temperatures, heating water or powering appliances, computers and office equipment. Lowering building energy use not only decreases operating costs, but also reduces air emissions and strain on the electric grid.

Lawmakers address building energy use through state commercial and residential building energy codes, which have been adopted in most states and the District of Columbia. By updating or strengthening their codes, states can help building owners and renters realize the economic and comfort benefits of increased efficiency.

Beyond-code policies include those that mandate adherence to LEED or other standards and those that set net-zero energy building requirements--the concept that a building produces as much energy as it uses, or more, by combining a high degree of efficiency with on-site renewable energy generation.

California's Long-Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan, for example, set a goal for all new residential and commercial construction to meet net-zero standards by 2020...

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