As the developer of the nation’s first standard for energy efficiency in buildings, ASHRAE applauds a recent announcement by the U.S. Department of Energy regarding funding to states to implement the most current energy codes.
Last week, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced it is seeking proposals to support activities related to the adoption and implementation of the most current building energy codes. Proposals must address activities to adopt the target codes, which includes ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2007, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, training activities, or activities that advance the state’s level of compliance with state building codes. States are allowed to partner with technical and other organizations, such as ASHRAE, and consultants in their proposals.
As of June 2010, the building codes of 14 states and four territories do not meet the requirements in 90.1-2007. A total of $5 million is available to be awarded for up to 20 states (only one award per state). Award sizes will vary with a maximum of $250,000 available for each award.
“ASHRAE is committed to improving building energy performance continually, so we are pleased with this call from the Department of Energy encouraging states to meet the target codes (including the ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2007),” ASHRAE President Lynn G. Bellenger said. “To encourage energy conservation in buildings, we must always strive toward higher efficiencies. Later this year, ASHRAE and IES will release the 2010 version of Standard 90.1. The revised version implements a significant reduction in energy consumption over the 2004 standard.”
The call to meet current building codes comes as ASHRAE and IES celebrate the 35th anniversary of publication of Standard 90.1. Since being developed in response to the energy crisis in the 1970s, Standard 90.1 has become the basis for building codes and the standard for building design and construction throughout the United States.
Comments are closed.