Homebuilders block energy efficiency code revisions

Submitted by scharrison on Wed, 09/29/2010 - 12:02pm

Hat-tip to Mark Binker over at Capital Beat:

New regulations that would have required houses built in North Carolina to be 30 percent more energy efficient than current models have been delayed following a vote by the state’s Building Code Council earlier this month.

The principal objections to the new regulations came from homebuilders, particularly the N.C. Home Builders Association, which said increased costs associated with the energy-efficiency measures would make houses harder to sell in the sluggish economy. Advocates for the new rules said any increase in mortgage costs would be offset by lower energy bills.

This is the same kind of crap that's happening on the national level with FHFA's opposition to PACE.

And this kowtowing to the home ticks could get us in trouble with the Federal government:

North Carolina accepted a $500,000 grant in 2008 to rewrite the energy section of its building code. In 2009, Perdue signed a letter that promised, among other things, to carry through with the revision in exchange for $79 million in federal stimulus spending related to energy programs.

“It’s going to get done, not eventually, but sooner rather than later,” Perdue said Tuesday, adding she expected the revision in the next 12 months.

Maybe if you replace about half of those appointees, Bev. This is not just some pesky Federal program; the ability to reduce our energy consumption will have a profound impact on the future of our state. Your job, and the job of those you appoint to commissions and councils such as this, is to see past the nose on your face.

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I highly recommend that

Submitted by James on Wed, 09/29/2010 - 2:34pm.

I highly recommend that Perdue clean up these boards and commissions - lest she finds herself on the short end of the electoral stick in 2012. The way things are going right now, I'm looking forward to learning if there's someone who will be willing to primary her.

Do good. Be nice. Have fun.

Hopefully that someone

Submitted by scharrison on Wed, 09/29/2010 - 2:41pm.

won't be one of the many politicians in our state who rely on campaign contributions from the home ticks. Which (unfortunately) might be a hard someone to find.

Boards and Commissions

Submitted by usna77 on Wed, 09/29/2010 - 3:10pm.

While the Governor has the authority to appoint the members of the Building Code Council, the makeup of the membership is explicitly outlined in GS 143-136:

Creation; Membership; Terms. – There is hereby created a Building Code Council, which shall be composed of 17 members appointed by the Governor, consisting of two registered architects, one licensed general contractor, one licensed general contractor specializing in residential construction, one licensed general contractor specializing in coastal residential construction, one registered engineer practicing structural engineering, one registered engineer practicing mechanical engineering, one registered engineer practicing electrical engineering, one licensed plumbing and heating contractor, one municipal or county building inspector, one licensed liquid petroleum gas dealer/contractor involved in the design of natural and liquid petroleum gas systems who has expertise and experience in natural and liquid petroleum gas piping, venting and appliances, a representative of the public who is not a member of the building construction industry, a licensed electrical contractor, a registered engineer on the engineering staff of a State agency charged with approval of plans of State‑owned buildings, a municipal elected official or city manager, a county commissioner or county manager, and an active member of the North Carolina fire service with expertise in fire safety. In selecting the municipal and county members, preference should be given to members who qualify as either a registered architect, registered engineer, or licensed general contractor.

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Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted. -- sign on Einstein's office wall.

It shouldn't be a problem finding members

Submitted by James on Wed, 09/29/2010 - 3:14pm.

who are at least not brain-dead when it comes to meta-environmental issues (e.g., climate disruption) and who can connect the dots between local building policies and environmental stewardship.

Do good. Be nice. Have fun.