Energy-efficient building codes

A House committee approved a bill that would provide for the development of new energy-efficient building codes, but some members are concerned it could lead to increased costs down the road.

HF3401/SF2706*, sponsored by Rep. Bill Hilty (DFL-Finlayson) and Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon (DFL-Duluth), would require the Commerce Department to contract with the University of Minnesota to develop cost-effective energy efficiency standards for all residential, commercial and industrial buildings. The House Finance Committee approved the bill April 4 after deleting the Senate language in favor of the House version.

The standards would also have the goal of reducing per-square-foot carbon emissions by 60 percent in 2010, 70 percent in 2015, 80 percent in 2020 and 90 percent in 2025. The proposed standards would apply only to newly constructed and substantially reconstructed buildings.

Hilty emphasized that the bill would only call for the development of new building codes — not implement them. He said the university’s Center for Sustainable Building Research would propose new energy efficiency measures that the Legislature could either pass in bill-form or disregard.

“It’s not putting any requirements into law. It’s simply initiating the process of evolving those standards,” Hilty said.

Rep. Bruce Anderson (R-Buffalo Township) said that although the bill contains no building code revisions or mandates, the eventual adoption of the standards proposed in the bill would prove costly to both builders and consumers.

Hilty responded that improving the energy efficiency of buildings would result in cost savings in the long-term.

The bill would also require the Commerce and Administration departments to work together to develop new sustainable building guidelines by Feb. 1, 2009, for all major renovations of state buildings. “Major renovations” would include only those involving 10,000 square feet or more of space. The goal is to exceed the state energy code by 30 percent.

The Senate passed its version of the bill 47-13 on March 31.