The U.S. Department of Energy announced $45 million in competitive grants to help states and partnering organizations implement updated building energy codes.
This funding is the first installment of a five-year, $225 million program established by the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support building energy code adoption, training, and technical assistance at the state and local level.
DOE said that modernizing the nation’s building codes is crucial to driving the development of more energy efficient commercial and residential buildings.
“Building codes continue to be one of the most critical tools we have to improve energy efficiency and resilience in homes and businesses, which together account for more than one third of emissions across the country,” said Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm.
Building energy codes establish minimum acceptable energy efficiency standards for new buildings, additions, and major renovations in residential and commercial buildings.
Successfully implementing and adopting updated building codes can substantially improve energy efficiency, save consumers energy and money, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, DOE said. The agency estimates that by 2040, modern energy codes would save homes and businesses $138 billion on their utility bills—equivalent to $162 in annual savings per residential unit. By preventing 900 million metric tons of carbon emissions through 2040, the climate benefits would be the equivalent of taking 195 million gas-powered vehicles off the road for a year.
DOE said the energy code is a critical component of a broader collection of building codes, which include provisions for fire, structural, mechanical, and plumbing systems. Despite these benefits, two out of every three communities in the United States have not adopted the latest building codes.
Applicants may apply for the Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation Program first $45 million disbursement, which was announced earlier this year in a Notice of Intent and shaped by responses to a Request for Information.
Applicants must include a state agency to be eligible, and they may apply in partnership with other organizations, such as state or local building departments, builders, contractors, architects, engineers, other design and construction professionals, academia, research, trade organizations, consumer advocates, regional energy efficiency organizations, and other stakeholder interests who play an important role supporting the successful implementation of building codes.
More information is available here.
