Built Environment Highlights

State, Local, and Utility Policy Updates

ALABAMA

Building Codes:

Hurricane-resistant building codes helped protect Alabama residents from Hurricane Sally’s strong winds in September.

NORTH CAROLINA

Building Codes:

In December, the state’s building code council approved changes to the rules allowing developers to bypass efficiency standards if they adopt some voluntary standards.

TENNESSEE

Disaster Recovery:

In early September, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved a grant of nearly $1.2 million for the state to assist the city of Mount Juliet with costs related to damage and debris from March tornadoes.

Nashville Building Codes:

In December, Nashville Mayor John Cooper announced that the city will update its building and energy codes for the first time since 2012.

VIRGINIA

Building Codes:

In fall 2020, the final draft of the Virginia statewide building code went to the State Building Code Technical Review Board. The proposed 2018 Virginia Building code includes most of the provisions from the 2018 IECC, with some modifications to the mechanical and insulation requirements. The final code is expected to be published in early 2021 and made mandatory in 2022.

Regional, National, & Federal Policy Updates

Building Codes Study:

In November, FEMA published a study quantifying avoided losses from strong building codes during extreme events.

Smart Energy Analytics Campaign:

The U.S. Department of Energy campaign facilitated by Lawrence Berkley National Lab has collected the world’s largest library of building energy analytics. The four-year campaign reportedly saved participants an average of $3 million in annual energy costs for a collective $95 million in energy savings.

Building and Construction Emissions:

According to a new report from the United Nations, emissions from buildings and construction reached a record high of 38% of total global emissions in 2019.

2021 Energy Model Code:

The 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), boasting a 10% efficiency improvement from the 2020 code, is pending final approval. Three proposed changes to the International Code Council’s IECC would have facilitated electric vehicle and appliance connections. The electric-readiness proposals were ultimately left out of the final model building code.