Energy efficient buildings (new law)

New building codes that will save the state money and lower its carbon footprint are the goal of a new law signed May 8 by Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Sponsored by Rep. Bill Hilty (DFL-Finlayson) and Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon (DFL-Duluth), the law requires the Commerce Department to contract with the University of Minnesota’s Center for Sustainable Building Research to develop cost-effective energy efficiency standards for all new and substantially reconstructed commercial, industrial and institutional buildings.

The law, effective May 9, 2008, lays the groundwork for the development of new energy-efficient building codes; however, it does not actually implement them. The codes that will be developed will 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. Reductions are to be measured against 2003 average levels.

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

Hilty said the Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group recommended the building code changes as the single largest energy- and cost-saving measure the state could take.

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