{"id":364135,"date":"2025-01-31T15:58:22","date_gmt":"2025-01-31T14:58:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=364135"},"modified":"2025-01-31T15:58:24","modified_gmt":"2025-01-31T14:58:24","slug":"end-federally-funded-net-zero-building-codes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=364135","title":{"rendered":"End Federally Funded \u201cNet-Zero\u201d Building Codes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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From Master Resource<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Mark Krebs and Tom Tanton<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThe basic structure of EERE, populated by climate alarmists, is beyond redemption. Eradication appears to be the only thorough remedy.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

As the Department of Government Efficiency<\/a> (DOGE) strives to improve government efficiency, we urge them to look carefully at the <\/a>\u201ctarget-rich environment\u201d of the Department of Energy\u2019s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy<\/a> (EERE) with respect to both building and appliance energy efficiency standards. To this end we emphasize there are two facets: doing the right thing<\/em> and doing the thing right<\/em>. After explaining these codes, we offer historical perspective and expertise to assist DOGE in its endeavors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some conservative energy policy pundits believe \u201cNet-Zero\u201d policies are rapidly fading away. We disagree, at least with the \u201crapid.\u201d A case-in-point is the recent growth and funding of biased building energy efficiency codes and performance standards throughout the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the years, we have focused mainly on appliance energy efficiency codes (as evidenced by the Krebs category archives<\/a>).  But no one else came forward to cover building energy efficiency codes and performance standards, so we are belatedly taking it on now. This article is intended to correct that issue by introducing the basics:   building energy codes and performance standards and the threats thereof to consumer choice<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Welcome to the byzantine world of building energy codes. There are two basic types of building energy codes. The first type is that of codes that can be adopted by state and local authorities that prescribe how residential or commercial buildings should be constructed to reduce energy consumption (or redirect to that bureaucratically deemed \u201cclean\u201d) and thus qualify for getting a building permit (alongside more traditional building safety codes).  The second type of building codes are performance oriented.  These set operating budgets for building energy consumption and\/or carbon emissions. Additional details for each type of program are summarized as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A: Essentials of Building Energy Codes & Standards (BECS)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BECS are officially referred to as \u201cvoluntary,\u201d and supposedly developed by \u201cconsensus,\u201d for state and local governments to implement building energy efficiency requirements. The International Code Council (ICC), through its numerous committees, publishes these codes and generates revenues by selling them to whoever needs them (e.g., code officials, builders, trades, etc.). ICC energy codes are organized and managed under a separate division of the ICC called the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jurisdictions seeking to adopt IECC building energy codes can simply adopt the latest version once certified by DOE that they \u201csave energy\u201d under statute<\/a> and are administrated under DOE\u2019s EERE through their Building Energy Codes Program<\/a>.\u201d Once published by the ICC, these codes are ready for adoption into state and local building authorities and purchased by whomever. Publication sales represent a major source of ICC\u2019s revenue. State and local code authorities may elect to adopt earlier IECC versions of the IECC codes or take an ala cart approach, picking and choosing an extensive selection of sections and options as they deem appropriate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 \u201cConsensus\u201d building energy codes have been largely and silently commandeered by EERE which has accelerated under the Biden administration.  \u201cConsensus\u201d comes through \u201cpacking the bleachers\u201d of committees with loyalists to further the Net-Zero concept.   Tactics include \u201cimproving\u201d building energy efficiency codes through \u201cpublic\/private partnerships.\u201d However, the true cause of Net-Zero policies is to advance electrified \u201cenergy efficiency\u201d via \u201cclean\u201d (a.k.a. renewable) energy so that consumers can be more readily controlled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DOE\u2019s takeover of building efficiency is directly counter to the historical role of ICC energy codes, embodied in the IECC. The IECC includes requirements for residential and commercial buildings that essentially run parallel. Prescriptive building requirements can also be met through alternative \u201cperformance\u201d based requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 With a quick look at committee membership rosters, the preponderance of true believers in the Net-Zero cause is obvious. We have identified these committees below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n