By John Hickey
Energy Efficiency is the cheapest and cleanest source of energy for Missouri, and currently our state is doing a poor job on it. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy recently rated Missouri as 44th out of 50 states on energy efficiency.
One policy that would make a big difference is upgrading residential energy efficiency building codes. Many cities and counties have outdated energy codes - which mean higher utility bills, more pollution, and uncomfortable homes. The 2009 IECC (International Energy Conservation Code) provides a 15% savings over the 2006 code, and the 2012 IECC provides a savings of 30% or more over the 2006 code.
Sierra Club members across the state are persuading building codes officials to support updated energy codes. Here are a few highlights:
Kansas City: Claus Wawrzinek and David Mitchell served on the stakeholders group that developed agreement on a modified version of 2012 IECC. The KC City Council adopted this code on May 24th, making it the first jurisdiction in the state to adopt the 2012 IECC!
Webster Groves: Charlie Nester, Margo Gordon, Beth Mattingly, Bob Klepper and Gary Steps met with codes director Mike Harney, who indicates that Webster will adopt the 2009 IECC by September.
University City: Judy Zwicker, Neville Rapp and Bob Elgin met with codes director Jared Agree, who anticipates that U City will adopt the 2009 IECC this summer.
Creve Coeur: Kathleen Engel and Karen and Kirk Helfrich met with codes director Steve Unser, who expects that city to consider the 2009 IECC beginning this summer.
If you would like to support improved energy codes in your city or county, please email john.hickey@sierraclub.org, and I will help you get started!