U.S. Energy Department Begins Implementing Infrastructure Law’s $225 Million Building Codes Initiative

The U.S. Energy Department on April 12 issued a request for information to gather feedback from stakeholders regarding the implementation of the $225 million funding provision for improved building codes under the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. States and building stock owners will benefit from this funding by upgrading building codes to ensure efficient and resilient buildings. Curbing emissions from buildings  is critical to achieve the Biden administration’s goal of attaining a 100 percent carbon-free electrical grid by 2035 and net-zero emissions by 2050.

The agency emphasizes the importance of modern building energy codes in lowering energy bills for homes and businesses, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, increasing long-term resilience, and ensuring the long-term affordability, health, and security of buildings. The program design includes code education, training, compliance research, addressing needs in rural and urban areas, and other measures to help states and localities implement the code. A study conducted by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in July 2021 indicates that innovative approaches and modern building codes can result in upwards of $138 billion in energy cost savings and 900 million metric tons of avoided emissions, supporting advanced energy and climate goals.

The infrastructure law provides additional funding to the agency’s Building Energy Codes Program to develop, implement, and adopt codes with research, analysis, direct technical assistance, and competitive funding opportunities. Residential and commercial buildings must meet minimum energy efficiency standards established through building energy codes in conjunction with other code provisions like fire, mechanical, and plumbing.

In addition to supporting energy code compliance through increased workforce development, construction practices, and sustained building science, the funding will assist in enhancing the effectiveness of building energy efficiency. Consumers must be assured that building energy codes are being complied with and enforced to benefit from their energy efficiency, cost saving, health, and resilience benefits. A Residential Energy Code Field Study conducted by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy showed that non-compliance could result in large losses in savings ($18 million annually); thus, targeted education and training programs are efficient in improving compliance rates and, in turn, reducing energy, costs, and emissions.

This RFI will enable the agency to design programs that will help to achieve the goals and priorities of the infrastructure law. The agency encourages all public comments, including those from states, partnerships, alliances, and associations, as specified under the act, but all public comments will be considered and weighed.

The deadline to submit a response is May 20, 2022.