ABC Forum Addresses Energy Code Changes

The Advanced Building Coalition (ABC) hosted its second Open Energy Codes Forum Tuesday at the Sheraton Grand Hotel at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. Approximately 50 building code officials and stakeholders were in attendance.

The open forum provided a structured discussion of the approximately 160 energy code change proposals that have been submitted during the International Code Council's (ICC) 2007-2008 energy code cycle. The forum heard proposed changes to facilitate the search for "common ground" before the committee hearings in February.

"The objective of the forum was to provide building code officials and stakeholders alike an opportunity to assess which of the many proposed changes can best move the IECC and IRC to a 30 percent level of increased energy stringency in a way that is cost-effective and doesn't compromise good science," says Thom Zaremba of Roetzel and Andress, the designated spokesperson for ABC and forum moderator. "Increased energy efficiencies related to proposed changes affecting ducts; fenestration; lighting; wall, ceiling, floor and basement insulation; and building equipment were among the topics discussed. Attendees agreed that the forum was a success."

Ron Majette of the United States Department of Energy was joined by a number of building code officials and energy conservation experts, including Todd Taylor of Pacific Northwest National Labs; Craig Conner of Building Quality; Tom Culp of Birch Point Consulting; Chuck Murray of Northwest Energy Conservation Group; Charlie Culp of Energy System Labs at Texas A&M; Charlie Curcija of Carli Inc.; and others. Henry Green, building code official for the State of Michigan, moderated the discussion.

ICC will hold its 2008 code development hearings February 17-March 2, 2008, at the Palm Springs Convention Center in Palm Springs, Calif.

CLICK HERE to read about the first ABC open forum in October 2007.

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