U.S. Energy Department Announces $225 Million Program to Encourage Adoption of Efficient Building Codes

The U.S. Energy Department on July 21 released a notice of intent to offer $225 million for states and local governments to advance the application of latest building energy standards to aid in the development of buildings that consume less energy. The Building Energy Codes: Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation Program, which is funded by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, will facilitate sustained, cost-effective implementation of updated building energy codes. The program is expected to help customers reduce their energy use and decrease electricity costs by approximately $138 billion in the following 30 years.

The initiative supports the National Initiative to Advance Building Codes announced in June to motivate state, local, and tribal governments to fast-track the adoption of modern building codes and standards. The program is expected to help communities become more resilient to storms and other acute weather events fueled by climate change and at the same time create good-paying jobs, and lower energy bills.

The program will award competitive grants to applicants, who – through partnerships – demonstrate novel methods that will allow state and local governments to achieve broader environmental, energy, and health goals.

The department’s Energy Codes Program is focused on promoting the expansion, adoption, and application of building energy codes through research and analysis, technical assistance, and funding opportunities. These strategies work together to build buildings that will be efficient, resilient, safe, and comfortable for a long time to come.

The administration has set a goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across federal buildings by 2045. Buildings produce 35 percent of the country’s carbon emissions, so they have a lot of potential for reducing emissions, improving efficiency, and modernizing facilities while reducing costs.

A building energy code works in conjunction with other codes, such as fire, mechanical, and plumbing codes, and establishes minimum energy efficiency requirements.

The agency expects to release the funding opportunity announcement in fall 2022.