Weatherization Skillshops Designed to Educate Vermont Residents

The Brattleboro Reformer is reporting in an online article that the Central Vermont Community Action Council will offer two weatherization “skillshops” on Saturday, February 13 at the Windham Regional Career Center in Brattleboro, Vermont.

The skillshops will discuss weatherization techniques and include a section dedicated to windows and doors.

The council hopes the event will help attendees understand how to improve energy efficiency in their homes and give homeowners the skills they need to take on simple home weatherization projects.

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Details on NFRC's Spring Membership Meeting

NFRC's Spring Membership Meeting will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana at the Doubletree Hotel April 12 – 15. Registration fees for NFRC members have been reduced.

Check NFRC's upcoming meeting page for details on the following:

• Online Registration -- now available.
• Reservations at the Doubletree Hotel -- Deadline for the NFRC Rate is Tuesday 03/09/2010.
• Schedule, agendas, past draft minutes, rosters, and minutes will be available within the next few weeks.

Members will get e-mail bulletins with updated information.

Preparations Underway for NFRC's Spring Membership Meeting

NFRC's Spring Membership Meeting will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana at the Doubletree Hotel April 12 – 15.

Registration fees for NFRC members have been reduced. Check NFRC's upcoming meeting page for details on the following:

• Online Registration -- now available.
  
• Reservations at the Doubletree Hotel -- Deadline for the NFRC Rate is Tuesday 03/09/2010.
  
• Schedule, agendas, past draft minutes, rosters, and minutes will be available within the next few weeks. Check back soon. Members will get e-mail bulletins when this information is available.

Code Updates from BCAP

The Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP) is reporting the following updates.

Alabama

On January 14, a bill (HB 264) was introduced in the Alabama State Legislature that would provide a process for adoption and compliance with codes required under federal law (Recovery Act). On January 26, the House passed the bill unanimously.

The bill would accomplish the following:

• Replace the Alabama Energy Code Board with the Alabama Energy and Residential Codes Board, giving the new board sole authority over adoption and implementation of the state’s energy codes
• Replace a reference to the Model Energy Code with the new Alabama Energy and Residential Codes for the State of Alabama, established as the 2006 IECC/Standard 90.1-2007 for commercial buildings and the 2006 IRC for residential buildings, or “any subsequent editions, or any other code which the board officially adopts”. The Board must adopt updates and changes to these model codes within two years of the publication of their most recent version.
• Prohibit local jurisdictions from adopting codes that conflict with the new state codes or amending code requirements mandated by the Recovery Act (jurisdictions that have already adopted codes by the effective date of the act would exempt from adopting the state code)
• Prohibit local jurisdictions from either legally requiring residential fire sprinklers or restricting consumers’ choice to install them
• Exempt farm structures from these provisions

Hawaii

In October 2009, a bill (No. 2332) was introduced in the Kauai County Council that would adopt the 2009 IECC with county-specific amendments for all new and renovated commercial and residential buildings. On January 26, the mayor of Kauai County approved the bill as Ordinance 890. The new code will become effective on approximately May 26 (120 days after enactment). The other three Hawaiian counties have adopted county-specific versions of the 2006 IECC, while work continues developing a tropical energy code based on the 2009 IECC for statewide adoption.

Tennessee

On January 28, a companion bills (HB 3215 and SB 3192) were introduced in the Tennessee House and Senate that would establish ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007 as the minimum energy standard for all new buildings that are not 1- and 2-family dwellings. The bills, however, also allow jurisdictions to adopt Standard 90.1-2001, its equivalent, or a more stringent code. The state currently does not have a mandatory energy code for this construction. If it became law, the legislation would be effective July 1, 2010.

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Six States Adopt Retrofitting Program

The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA) is reporting that six states will take part in the Policy Academy on State Building Efficiency Retrofit Programs. The academy’s goal is to help improve energy efficiency in existing buildings.

The six states include Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Utah and Wisconsin.

Building retrofit programs may include measures such as air sealing, insulation, and window replacement.

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NFRC Label Makes News in Philadelphia

During his State of the Union address, President Barack Obama explained that the recent success of Northeast Building Products shows that the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act has spurred job growth. Operating at one point with 185 employees, growing demand for energy-efficient windows has led the company to add 100 jobs and two additional shifts.

A video clip of the story as it appeared on the news shows the NFRC label on the company's windows.

House Approves Bill to Boost Retrofits

Under a bill recently approved by The House, federal loan guarantees will apply to energy efficiency projects funded through Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) bonds.

The PACE bonds provision is part of the Jobs for Main Street Act, which has a budget of $75 billion. Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y) advocated the bill. The bill enables property owners to finance energy efficiency retrofits through a loan, which is voluntarily attached to the borrower's property tax bill.
Such long-term loans are eligible for transfer along with the sale of the property in order to accelerate investment in retrofits. To date, 15 states have enacted bills allowing this kind of municipal financing. Several additional states are considering similar bills.

The Alliance to Save Energy (ASE), an advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., stands behind the House's action and said it would work closely with Israel and other congressional members to promote the program.

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