December 2010 - NC Triangle USGBC Chapter / Green News

NC Building Code Council Recommends a Stronger 2012 Energy Code

Dear Chapter Members and Supporters,

Thank you! Because of your support, the North Carolina Building Code Council adopted a 2012 Energy Code that will significantly increase the energy efficiency of all new commercial and residential buildings. Your hard work is creating an environmentally and economically greener future of all those who live, work and play in North Carolina.

Please take a moment to write the Governor a thank you for her leadership on this effort and plan to join us February 16th at the NC Legislature to support this and other green building policies.

Proposed 2012 NC Energy Code

Over the past 2 years, the USGBC Triangle Chapter's Advocacy Committee has lead the way on energy reform in the North Carolina Energy Code. Members from the USGBC local chapters, partner organizations and other passionate individuals worked together to design and support the improved efficiency standards of the proposed 2012 NC Energy Code.

A final decision was rendered on December 14, 2010 by the NC Building Code Council. The new bench marks for code reform as recommended by the NC Building Code Council are as follows:

A) A mandatory 30% improvement in energy efficiency for the commercial building code

B) A mandatory 15% improvement in energy efficiency for the residential building code.

C) A new voluntary 30% improvement in energy efficiency for the residential building code.  While the details of the voluntary program are still being developed, the Governor responded positively to the idea of rewarding those builders that make the extra effort. Potential rewards under consideration range for simple government recognition to financial incentives, such as tax credits for homeowners who buy the more efficient homes, modified appraisal and lending tools, utility program recognitions, etc. The Appendix in the new code creates a platform for recognition of "beyond code" levels of superior energy performance. The name of this new program is – HERO – Higher Efficiency Residential Option

THANK YOU to all who participated and helped in this process!

Thank the Governor. Governor Purdue received many of your letters asking for her support and she has obliged. We recommend you write the governor a thank you note for her support. She can be reached at:

Governor Beverly Perdue
200 North Blount Street
Raleigh, NC 27601-1097

February 16 Legislative Day at the General Assembly

The battle continues. The next step is for the recommendations of the NC Building Council to be voted on by our state legislature and enacted in to law. The 2011-12 North Carolina General Assembly will convene in January.

The Triangle Chapter of the USGBC, in conjunction with the Charlotte and Triad chapters, is holding a Legislative Day in Raleigh on February 16th, 2011. USGBC chapter members from across the state will gather to meet with their elected officials and support policies that promote green building. Strengthening the energy code is a key issue on this year's USGBC agenda.

Mark your calendars for this important date. Though support for an improved energy code is high, a vocal opposition is also present. Our continued advocacy will be essential for the Building Council recommendations to become law.

The Triangle Chapter will continue to keep you updated on the progress of NC Energy Code reform. Should you have any comments or questions, feel free to contact our Chapter Operations Director, Laura Deaton Klauke.

Here's to enabling an environmentally and socially responsible future in North Carolina,

Julia Janaro
2011 Advocacy Committee Co-Chair
NC Triangle Chapter of the USGBC

Doug Brinkley
2010 Advocacy Committee Co-Chair
NC Triangle Chapter of the USGBC

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