President Obama’s Stimulus Bill will provide energy assistance to states

The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that includes $3.4 billion in energy assistance grants for states if the International Code Council’s 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) is adopted and administered. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (HR 1) passed the House of Representatives on Jan. 28.

The bill will require governors who want state-energy-assistance grants to certify that their state will adoptrs must also certify that they will enact a plan to achieve compliance with their certified energy codes within eight years in at least 90% of new and renovated residential and commercial buildings.

Code Council CEO Rick Weiland said “This legislation is right in line with President Obama’s push to make public buildings more efficient, reduce our dependency on foreign oil, and bring down overall costs to consumers and building owners.

The ICC allows simplifies the process for compliance by the states by incorporating ASHRAE 90.1 in the 2009 IECC. ASHRAE 90.1 reference maintains language contained in the 2006 IECC, which is currently being enforced by state and location authorities. States adopting the 2009 IECC will also be in compliance with the federal Energy Policy Act.

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