As previously reported in End Use Codes and Standards Updates (see December 24, 2020 Update), the process for the development of the IECC is being considered for changing from a code development process to a standard development process.  This change would essential replace the IECC development process to be conducted using an American National Standards balanced committee process replacing the current ICC process that results in a final vote on the IECC proposed revisions being conducted by an on-line vote. The proposed change has been opposed by a number of stakeholders who are suggesting it limits input from ICC governmental voters who are the only voters eligible to participate in the final vote on a proposal.  AGA staff believes that moving the IECC process from a code to a standard is a positive development and supports the change. Related to this issue, proponents for not changing the process have been supporting media stories that present their arguments for a status quo and retaining the current process.  Now the US congress has become involved in this issue. As an example, in a January 19, 2021 letter,  the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce contacted the International Code Council to request information about its code development process and specifically, the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). On February 2,2021, the ICC released information to the Committee that explains their role in helping communities around the world become more energy efficient. Download the ICC response here. BECS Committee members are encouraged to review both the January 19, 2021 U.S House Committee on Energy and Commerce request of the ICC and the February 2, 2021 ICC response. We will keep you informed as this process continues and it is expected that the ICC Board of Directors will be making a decision on the IECC process development change from a code to a standard in the very near future.

According to the announcement of the study, the report:

 

 

Although the study report is to be made available without cost when downloaded in PDF format, links to downloading the report are not yet active. “Consensus Study Report Highlights” of the report are available here.  Among the “lessons learned” is a need for “repurposing existing fossil fuel infrastructure [for] reducing the potential for stranded assets and workers,” but more directly to direct use of natural gas, specific sector policy recommendations include promulgation of “manufacturing standards for zero-emission appliances by 2050 while continuing to establish appliance minimum efficiency standards.”  The practical impact of such manufacturing standards would be to eliminate natural gas appliances from the new construction and appliance replacement markets.  Press coverage of the study prerelease note that “social factors could be the final barrier to deep carbonization” and point to one study participant stating that “without policies to ensure an equitable transition…the U. S. risks ‘yellow vest’ social uprisings that could derail decarbonization.”  When the study report is released in full, a “Friday Update” will provide a link to the free PDF version and provide preliminary review comments.

 

By one vote, the proposed ban failed by not receiving the required majority of SSPC 62.2 members of votes received (15 affirmative and 15 negative).  The interpretation of the voting results has been questioned by proponents of the ban, but ASHRAE staff has responded with citations of the ASHRAE voting procedures identifying the need for a majority vote for the proposal to go forward out of the Committee and further within the ASHRAE standards development process.  Proponents have since sought to extend the voting period with the expectation that abstaining and non-voting Committee members would vote for the ban and achieve the required majority.  Procedurally, there appears to be no basis for extending the voting on this standards action.  AGA voted in the negative on the proposed ban, offering the following “reason statement,” which is required of all negative voters:

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGA’s comments focused upon issues that ASHRAE would face at its highest levels by promulgating a product ban under its standards.  Other negative commenters focused on other considerations such as standards development process issues in development of the ban along-side SSPC approved standards actions for regulation of the products and the disproportionate time and effort on unvented combustion heaters by the SPCC at the expense of other standards work.  On the issue of potential  restraint of trade that an adopting authority would face in implementing a ban of these appliances, unvented combustion heater manufacturers are currently investigating legal relief in this eventuality since, even while the ban has been avoided at this stage, it is expected that proponents within SSPC 62.2 will make additional efforts toward adoption of a ban.

 

Following up on last week’s “Friday Update” coverage of the NBI webinar, the slides for the presentation are now posted on the Codes and Standards Committee website here and can also be accessed through the NBI website: https://newbuildings.org/webinar/getting-to-zero-carbon-neutral-codes/.  The NBI portal also provides a link to watch the webinar in full and links to a number of other useful news items under “Recent Posts.”

 

[This is a weekly feature of the “Friday Update” covering state code calendar activities as presented by the online utility “Fiscal Note,” which is sponsored by APGA and AGA Code and Standards. AGA staff continues to request your comments on retaining this feature for future End Use Codes and Standards Update]