DOE Issues Request for Information (RFI) on Consumer Boilers to Assess Whether to Amend Minimum Efficiency Requirements or Not — Comments Due April 26 .
In yesterday’s Federal Register (attached),  the Department of Energy (DOE) is starting an early assessment review for residential boilers (gas, oil and electric) to determine whether to amend the applicable energy conservation standards for this product. Specifically, through this request for information (RFI), DOE seeks data and information to evaluate whether amended energy conservation standards would result in significant savings of energy, be technologically feasible, and be economically justified. Written comments and information are requested and will be accepted on or before April 26, 2021. AGA BECS staff has done an initial review of the RFI and one issue that DOE seeks comments on is whether or not there should be separate minimum efficiency requirements for gas fired condensing and non-condensing type natural gas boilers. Recall that in January, the DOE did issue a final determination for residential gas furnaces and commercial gas water heaters that there should be separate product classes for these products based on venting features (see January 15, 2021 Update on End Use Codes and Standards). DOE’s rationale for this action stated “ in the context of residential furnaces, commercial water heaters, and similarly-situated products/equipment, use of non-condensing technology (and associated venting) constitute a performance-related “feature” under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) that cannot be eliminated through adoption of an energy conservation standard.”  This finding by the DOE will be a key part of the comments that will be submitted to DOE in response to the RFI along with any other issues that more detailed review of the requested information reveals.  BECS Committee members are requested to review the RFI and provide any comments to BECS staff for possible inclusion into comments in response to the RFI.
 
ICC  Code Council Opens Applications for its IECC Development Committees – Deadline for Submissions is Friday, April, 23 2021.
The International Code Council (ICC) has announced its call for committees for the development of its 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Under the Code Council’s new framework, Leading the Way to Energy Efficiency: A Path Forward on Energy and Sustainability to Confront a Changing Climate, the IECC will be developed by the combined efforts of a Residential Energy Code Consensus Committee and a Commercial Energy Code Consensus Committee. The March 19, 2021 Press Release can be found here and includes information on how to apply for membership. AGA BECS staff will be applying for membership and we encourage BECS Committee members to consider applying to help ensure that the natural gas distribution industry is well represented on these very important code development committees that are charged to develop residential and commercial building codes that impact  the direct use of natural gas in the built environment.
 
AGA Provides “Spokesperson” Commentary in ASHRAE Appeals Hearing on Publication of Addendum “a” to “Standard 62.2, Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings.“
Background on adoption of Addendum “a” and its effective banning of unvented gas-fired space heaters has been discussed in several prior “Friday Updates” over the course of this ASHRAE standards action, in which the Addendum was initially disapproved for publication by the ASHRAE Board of Directors and subsequently “reaffirmed” by SSPC 62.2 for Board reconsideration.  While AGA is not an appellant on the second submission of Addendum “a,” it was invited to participate as a “spokesperson” on behalf of the appellant representatives from the Vent-Free Gas Products Alliance of AHRI and the chair of the ANSI-recognized Z21.11.2 standard subcommittee responsible for that standard, “Gas-fired room heaters, volume II, unvented room heaters.”  In the first session as a spokesperson, AGA testimony outlined failures of SSPC 62.2 to formulate and modify Addendum “a” using regular standards development procedures such as consideration and review of technical justification from a cognizant technical subcommittee (Addendum “a” was never addressed by a technical subcommittee) and shortcuts taken by SSPC 62.2 to reintroduce Addendum “a” when an ASHRAE Standards Committee-recommended consensus alternative approach (the draft of which is known as Addendum “c”) was under consideration. 
 
In the second session, AGA focused on procedural issues with the SSPC 62.2 “reaffirmation” of Addendum “a.”  ASHRAE has no procedures for “reaffirmation” of the standards action that is terminated by a Board of Directors vote.  AGA’s procedural arguments focused on two points.  First, SSPC 62.2 as a body, through individual members of the SSPC, or by other parties did not appeal the Board’s action as ASHRAE procedures clearly allow, thus not making use of a basic procedural opportunity to keep Addendum “a” alive for consideration.  Second, no ASHRAE procedures cover return of standards actions terminated by a Board vote, resulting (as required by ASHRAE procedures) to apply Robert’s Rules of Order to govern SSPC actions.  Under Robert’s Rules, action on Addendum “a,” having been picked up again by the SSPC, must be handled either as “new business” or “old business” of the SSPC.  New business categorization of Addendum “a” would require the SSPC to reinstate formal standards actions procedures and voting to move it forward.  However, SSPC deliberately decided that no formal standards action was required on Addendum “a.”  Old business categorization would require a formal “motion to reconsider” Addendum “a”, discussion of that motion, and voting on the motion.  A motion to reconsider was not offered to move Addendum “a,” only a non-procedural online “reaffirmation” vote to send the Addendum back through the standards development process and to the Board.  Rebuttal testimony from SSPC 62.2 leadership did not address this second point in its response to the Appeals Board.  AGA’s conclusion is that in any case, SSPC 62.2 did not apply due process and administration of ASHRAE procedures in processing Addendum “a” for a second submittal.
 
The ASHRAE Appeals Board is meeting today to consider the testimony provided by appellants and rebuttals from SSPC 62.2 leadership.  We will provide more information on the Appeals Board deliberations and outcome in an upcoming “Friday Update.”
 
 
BECS Staff Provides Detailed Review of the Draft “Climate Leadership and Environmental Action for our Nation’s (CLEAN) Future” Act to AGA Legislative Staff.
An internal AGA staff meeting on the CLEAN Future Act is being scheduled for next week where the BECS staff comments and other staff comments will be discussed.  Among the comments provided by BECS staff are objections to the following categories of provisions:
 
·                Electrification policy as a focus of decarbonization of energy end users
 
·                Overriding of federal pre-emption of energy efficiency standards by state and local governments
 
·                Increased federals role in setting codes and standards over the current model codes process and the forthcoming International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) standards procedure.
 
Final positions on the CLEAN Future Act will be developed by AGA legislative staff in the coming weeks.
 
 
BECS Staff Begins Work on City of Austin Amendments to the 2021 IECC in Adoption Proceedings in Support of AGA Member Utilities Serving the City.
Having conducted for AGA members serving the City of Austin with an initial review of amendments to the 2021 IECC coverage under consideration by the City, BECS  staff is now beginning drafting recommended text for the City “Energy Code,” addressing proposed amendments and existing coverage affecting the direct use of natural gas.  Public comment on the amendments are due to the City on April 15th.  Areas of the Energy Code and amendments being reviewed for AGA-drafted amendment language include the following:
 
·                Energy Rating Index (ERI) performance rating of buildings and the opportunity to add source energy rating as an alternative performance path
 
·                HVAC fault detection system performance and the opportunity to introduce undercharging of refrigerants in heat pumps and air conditioning systems as a potential fault criterion
 
·                Energy recovery ventilator (ERV) coverage for inclusion of ERV electrical consumption in performance rating
 
·                Energy monitoring requirements and the opportunity to introduce source energy calculations in the monitoring criteria
 
·                Broader building performance requirements, focusing upon introducing performance equivalency criteria to help ensure balanced treatment of electrical and natural gas requirements.
 
We plan to provide draft text to the serving gas utilities involved in the review of the Energy Code amendments early next week.
 
 
State Codes Activity Update
 
[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 End Use Code and Standards.
 
 
Recent Activity Alerts
 
Fire
 
State/Body
Date
Title
Alaska
9/26/2020
In the Alaska Fire Standards Council Fall (September) 2020 Meeting, the council voted unanimously to adopt the NFPA 10 2010 edition.
Alaska
3/20/2021
In the Alaska Fire Standards Council Spring (March) 2021 Meeting, the council will discuss progress reports for NFPA 10, NFPA 472/1072, NFPA 1001, NFPA 1002, NFPA 1003, NFPA 1005, NFPA 1006, NFPA 1021, NFPA 1033, NFPA 1035, NFPA 1041, NFPA 1403, NFPA 1407, and NFPA 1521.
West Virginia
3/25/2021
On March 25, the West Virginia Fire Commission will hold a Building Code Stakeholders meeting centering around updating the State Building Code.
 
 
Energy
 
State/Body
Date
Title
Washington
3/26/2021
On March 26, the Washington State Energy Code TAG will continue their review of the integrated draft of the 2021 WSEC – Commercial, beginning with Section C407.
 
 
Building
 
State/Body
Date
Title
New York
3/24/2021
On March 24, 2021, NY will publish in the New York State Register a proposed rule. This proposed rulemaking would amend the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (Uniform Code). Particularly, this proposed rule would amend 19 NYCRR Part 1219 and add a new Part 1228 to add provisions relating to rail stations to the Uniform Code.
California
3/30/2021
On March 30, 2021, in the CALGREEN Workshop, the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC), and the Division of the State Architect (DSA) staff will present proposed updates to the 2019 California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) for inclusion in the 2022 CALGreen Code during the 2021 Triennial Code Adoption Cycle. The public is invited to participate and provide input and comments.
South Carolina
3/24/2021
On March 24, 2021, the South Carolina Building Codes Council will discuss the 2021 Code Adoption Cycle. Specifically, they will review the modification process and code adoption timeline, and the nomination of study committee members.
Ohio
3/25/2021
On March 25, 2021, the Ohio Board of Building Standards Code Committee will discuss an update on 2021 IBC Chapter 11 & ICC/ANSI A117.1. They will also request to keep IFC 510.1 Emergency Response Communications tabled. Further, they will introduce a discussion of Chapters 10, 12, 14, 15, and 16 of the IBC as part of the 2021 IBC Review.
 
 
Electrical/Plumbing
 
State/Body
Date
Title
IAPMO
3/11/2021
The IAPMO Standards Council on March 11 issued one tentative interim amendment affecting the 2021 edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code. TIA UPC 002-21 updated text in UPC Table 1701.1 pertaining to the ASSE 1055 standard edition and updates the title designation in Section 603.5.21.
New Hampshire
3/29/2021
On March 29, the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission will hold a public comment hearing on DE 21-037, Electric Renewable Portfolio Standard Adjustment to Renewable Portfolio Standard Class III Requirements.
IAPMO
3/18/2021
ASHRAE and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) have agreed to co-publish ASHRAE 191, a water-efficiency standard pertaining to mechanical system efficiency in buildings, with the IAPMO/ANSI Water Efficiency and Sanitation Standard (WE•Stand™). The two standards’ scopes are complementary, and co-publishing will provide users with the opportunity to reference and apply both documents in one publication.
 
 
Recent Code Body Meetings
 
State
Body
Date
Agenda Link
Washington
Washington State Building Code Council TAG (Energy Code) Meeting
3/26/2021
Ohio
Ohio Board of Building Standards Meeting
3/26/2021
Kansas
Kansas Corporation Commission Meeting
3/25/2021
California
California Plumbing, Electrical, Mechanical & Energy Committee Meeting
3/25/2021
West Virginia
West Virginia Fire Marshal Meeting
3/25/2021
Ohio
Ohio BBS Education Committee Meeting
3/25/2021
Ohio
Ohio BBS Certification Committee Meeting
3/25/2021
Ohio
Ohio BBS Code Committee Meeting
3/25/2021
North Dakota
North Dakota State Electrical Board Meeting
3/24/2021
South Carolina
South Carolina Board of Building Codes Meeting
03/24/2021
California
California Plumbing, Electrical, Mechanical & Energy Committee Meeting
3/24/2021
Colorado
Colorado State Electrical Board Meeting
3/24/2021
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Construction Industries Board Meeting
3/24/2021
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Existing Buildings Advisory Committee Meeting
3/24/2021
 
 
Bills with Recent Activity
 
State
Bill #
Bill Title
Primary Sponsor
Last Action
Date
NY
Establishes environmental standards for public authorities
Leroy Comrie
Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
3/19/2021
The adds a new title 13 to the public authorities law to impose energy conservation standards on a specific list of 16 large state public authorities. The new title would require all new building and facilities built, owned or operated by these large state public authorities to comply with the State Green Building Construction Act.
TX
Relating to energy efficiency building standards
Charlie Geren
Read first time
3/19/2021
“A building certified by a national, state, or local accredited energy efficiency program and determined by the laboratory to be in compliance with the energy efficiency requirement must be in compliance of one of the following:
1. Standard 301 of the American National Standard for the Calculation and Labeling of the Energy Performance of Dwelling and Sleeping Units using an Energy Rating Index, commonly cited as ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301, or
2. the Standard 380 of the American National Standard for Testing Airtightness of Building, Dwelling Unit, and Sleeping Unit Enclosures, Airtightness of Heating and Cooling Air Distribution Systems, and Airflow of Mechanical Ventilation Systems, commonly cited as ANSI/RESNET/ICC 380. “
TX
HB 3032
Hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants applicable to commercial or residential buildings or construction
Tom Oliverson, Angie Button, Matt Schaefer
Read first time
3/19/2021
Adds to the state Health and Safety Code that a building code or other requirement applicable to commercial or residential buildings or construction may not prohibit the use of a substitute refrigerant authorized pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 7671k.
TX
Relating to the adoption of a certain plumbing code by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners
Dawn Buckingham
Read first time
3/18/2021
This bill would adopt the 2015 edition of the International Plumbing Code, as published by the International Code Council. The board by rule may adopt a later edition of the plumbing code.
TX
Relating to substitutes for hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants applicable to commercial or residential buildings or construction
Nathan Johnson, Paul Bettencourt
Read first time
3/18/2021
Adds a new subchapter providing that a building code or other requirement applicable to commercial or residential buildings or construction may not prohibit the use of a substitute refrigerant.
ID
Building Codes
House Committee on State Affairs
Take bill off General Orders; referred to Business
3/18/2021
Local governments that issue building permits and performing code enforcement activities shall, by ordinance effective January 1 of the year following the adoption by the Idaho building code board, adopt the Idaho energy conservation code, the national electrical code, NFPA 70, as amended and approved by the Idaho electrical board and adopted by the Idaho legislature, the 2018 international mechanical code as amended and approved by the Idaho division of building safety and adopted by the Idaho legislature; and the 2017 Idaho state plumbing code based on the 2015 uniform plumbing code as amended and approved by the Idaho plumbing board and adopted by the Idaho legislature.
NE
LB 218
Adopt 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code standards
Justin Wayne
Wayne AM703 filed
3/18/2021
This bill provides for the applicability of the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code in certain cities, villages, and counties without a plumbing code.
CA
SB 68
Building decarbonization
Josh Becker
Re-referred to Coms. on E., U. & C. and JUD.
3/18/2021
This bill would require the Energy Commission to develop and publish on its internet website a guide for electrification of buildings and to submit to the Legislature a report on barriers to electrifying existing buildings and to adding energy storage or vehicle charging equipment to existing buildings.
ID
H 143
Building Codes
House Committee on Business
Read second time; filed for Third Reading
3/17/2021
Adds to existing law to require the building code board to adopt certain International Building Code provisions allowing for the use of mass timber.
MN
SF 226
Construction codes advisory county membership modification
Jason Rarick
Second reading
3/17/2021
This bill adds two members to the Construction Codes Advisory Council from the energy conservation industry; and the building accessibility advocate industry.
MT
Prohibiting state building codes from requiring mandatory fire sprinklers
Steve Fitzpatrick
(H) Committee Report–Bill Concurred : (H) Judiciary
3/17/2021
This bill adds that the department may not include in the state building code a requirement for the installation of a fire sprinkler system in a single-family dwelling or a residential building that contains no more than two dwelling units.
CA
AB 33
Energy Conservation Assistance Act of 1979
Phil Ting, Josh Becker
Re-referred to Com. on U. & E.
3/17/2021
This bill would prohibit new public buildings for which construction begins on or after January 1, 2022, to have natural gas connections.
HI
Relating To The State Building Code Council
Nadine Nakamura
The committee on GVO deferred the measure.
3/16/2021
Requires the state building code council to: consider the impact of building codes and standards on the cost of single- and multi-family homes built in the State when considering whether to adopt a code or standard; and include with its annual written report to the governor a financial impact assessment on each code and standard adopted by the council.
UT
Single-family Housing Modifications
Ray Ward
Governor Signed
3/16/2021
This bill requires municipalities and counties to classify certain accessory dwelling units as a permitted land use and prohibits municipalities and counties from establishing restrictions or requirements for the construction or use of certain accessory dwelling units. The bill also provides for statewide amendments to the International Residential Code related to accessory dwelling units.
UT
SB 33
Uniform Building Code Commission Amendments
Curt Bramble, Mike Schultz
Governor Signed
3/16/2021
This bill adopts the 2020 edition of the National Electrical Code; amends statewide amendments to the International Building Code and the International Residential Code to reference the 2020 edition of the National Electrical Code; amends statewide amendments to the National Electrical Code to update the reference of a deleted section; and makes technical and conforming changes.
TX
Relating to the residential building codes of municipalities
Dennis Paul
Being scheduled for public hearing
3/16/2021
The bill adds that a municipality may establish procedures to adopt local amendments to the International Residential Code that may add, modify, or remove requirements set by the code. The bill also adds subsection (e) to §214.212 which specifies that “A municipality may not adopt a local amendment under Subsection (c) unless the municipality: (1) holds a public hearing on the local amendment before adopting the local amendment; and (2) adopts the local amendment by ordinance.
MN
State building code energy code adoption modification for new commercial buildings
Dave Senjem (R)
Referred to Labor and Industry Policy
3/15/2021
Amends Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 326B.106, subdivision 1, adding that beginning in 2022, the commissioner shall act on the new model commercial energy code by adopting each new published edition of ASHRAE 90.1 or a more efficient standard, and amending it as necessary to achieve a minimum of eight percent energy efficiency with each edition, as measured against energy consumption by an average building in each applicable building sector in 2003. These amendments must achieve a net zero energy standard for new commercial buildings by 2036 and thereafter.
VA
Uniform Statewide Building Code; amendments, energy efficiency and conservation
Kaye Kory
Governor: Governor’s Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 31, 2021
3/15/2021
Requires the Board of Housing and Community Development to adopt amendments to the Uniform Statewide Building Code within one year of publication of a new version of the International Code Council’s International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) to address changes related to energy efficiency and conservation. The bill requires the Board to adopt Building Code standards that are at least as stringent as those contained in the new version of the IECC.
UT
Local Government Building Regulation Amendments
Paul Ray
House/ to Governor
3/15/2021
This bill allows a building permit applicant to opt out of certain local building inspection and plan review requirements; allows an independent building inspector to issue a certificate of occupancy to a building permit applicant in certain circumstances; exempts a construction project involving repairs to a building damaged by a natural disaster from certain State Construction Code and building permit requirements; and prohibits a municipality or county from regulating certain building design elements.