Update on the Status of the International Code Council (ICC) Request to Improve the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) Development and Appeals Process.

As a reminder, on May 1, 2024, AGA, the American Public Gas Association (APGA), and National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) submitted comments (attached) on the ICC request for recommendations to improve the development and appeals process for the International Energy Conservation Code – Commercial, International Energy Conservation Code – Residential, and International Residential Code – Chapter 11 (IECC).  The comments were in response to an April, 2024 call for comments from the ICC regarding the development process, appeals process, and scope and intent of the IECC. Recall that during the development of the 2024 IECC and the appeals that followed, there was considerable concern on the development process, definitions and coverage of the Scope and Intent of the IECC and conflicting and changing information provided to the Residential and Commercial Code Development Committees responsible for establishing the 2024 edition of the IECC. The AGA, APGA and NPGA comments are meant to be constructive comments to improve the development process as well as the appeals process that would improve the future development of the next editions of the IECC. We have been informed that that a Task Force of the ICC Board of Directors has been tasked with reviewing all proposals submitted by the public and making recommendations for the BOD’s consideration to include for improving the IECC development and appeals process as well as clarifying the Scope and Intent of the IECC. We have been told that the BOD will be making its decision on the improvements within the next few months. We will report on the BOD’s decisions when available.

Reminder that Proposals on Changes to the 2027 National Fuel Gas Code (NFGC) are Due on June 4, 2024.

BECS Committee members are reminded that the development of the 2027 NFGC edition (also known as ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54) is underway and proposed changes to the 2024 edition must be submitted by June 4, 2024. We discussed some possible proposals at the May 8-9, 2024 BECS Committee meeting in Litchfield, AZ that included adding hydrogen blending coverage . Please provide us with any other suggested proposed changes to the NFGC by May 31, 2024 for consideration by the BECS Committee.

State Codes Activity Update.

Attached 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. Please review the update and determine if there are state code activities that impact your service territory or organization.

2024 BECS Committee Meeting Schedule

Date Change September 25-26, 2024 San Antonio, Texas, Hotel TBD