Nov. 26, 2008 - City Council approves increased energy efficiency requirements

Contact:
Jody Jacobson, Public Works, 303-441-3122
Jodie Carroll, Media Relations, 303-441-3155
www.bouldercolorado.gov

At the Nov. 10 and Nov. 25 City Council meetings, the Boulder City Council adopted building code amendments that require increased energy efficiency in new commercial construction and residential remodels and additions.  The new requirements will go into effect on March 2, 2009 to allow the development community time to incorporate the changes into their business processes. 

Under the new codes, commercial energy efficiency requirements increase by 30 percent.  The changes also require energy modeling (a more in-depth type of energy audit) for all new commercial buildings more than 20,000 square feet.  

Several new requirements were also added to the Green Building Green Points program for residential remodels and additions.  These include tiered, above-code energy efficiency requirements (between 15 to 50 percent, depending on the size of the addition), air sealing requirements, and criteria for determining when the scale of an addition warrants the same energy efficiency compliance as new construction. 

"These code changes are the next step in aligning building construction regulation with the city's Climate Action Plan (CAP) goals of reducing greenhouse gases," said City of Boulder Mayor Shaun McGrath.  "Since residential and commercial buildings represent 76 percent of greenhouse gases, strengthening our code for higher energy efficiency is an important step in reducing greenhouse gases."

Additional code changes were also adopted and go into effect on Jan. 5, 2009, including:

• amendments to the "Building Code" to adopt minor changes related to the expiration of permits; and
• amendments to the "Electrical Code" adopting by reference the 2008 National Electrical Code" with local amendments.

Prior to implementation, the city will hold code change workshops in order to educate customers about new regulations.  The city encourages customers to attend these interactive, informational sessions expected to be available in late January and early February 2009.  Customers can pick up an amended Green Points Booklet, applications and helpful checklists starting in mid January 2009.  These materials will also be available at http://www.boulderplandevelop.net/.

For more information, contact the Chief Building Official Neil Poulsen at 303-441-4189.

--CITY--