Bill to Transform Energy Codes up in committee

DENVER – House Bill 22-1362 will be heard in the House Energy and Environment committee. It requires cities and counties to update their building energy codes in order to increase the energy efficiency and cut the pollutant emissions of new homes and commercial buildings.

The bill directs local governments that have building codes to: 

• Adopt and begin enforcing the most recent version of the International Energy Conservation Code no later than January 1, 2025;

• Adopt electric and solar ready requirements as part of energy codes to prepare new homes and buildings for electric vehicles, rooftop solar, and high efficiency electric appliances; and

• Adopt and begin enforcing a low energy and carbon code no later than January 1, 2030.

We have the ability to power our society with 100% renewable energy from the sun, the wind and the warmth of the Earth. One step to realizing that vision is making sure our homes, workplaces and other buildings are ready to use the renewable energy we harness. We have a ways to go. In 2019, three out of every four American homes still relied on fossil fuels for heating, hot water or to run appliances. That fossil fuel dependence contributes to a host of environmental and public health problems, including global warming.

“At a time when renewable energy sources are more widely available and more affordable than ever, making sure our buildings can run on electricity created from the power of the sun and the wind is the next phase of America’s clean energy journey,” said Rex Wilmouth, Environment Colorado Senior Program Director.

Switching to clean, efficient and electric technologies like heat pumps for space and water heating and induction cook stoves can lead to less indoor and outdoor air pollution which means cleaner air for us to breathe. It also means less water pollution, reduced energy waste which can lead to more affordable utility bills, and greener communities overall. 

Every day that we don’t switch to clean, electric energy use in our homes is an opportunity wasted. Fossil fuel systems have long lifetimes, so any new systems installed in the next few years will keep us locked into another decade or so of dirty energy. It’s time to start relying on efficient, electric appliances that will protect our air, water, land and climate.

An energy buildings bill, HB22-1362, is in the works in the Colorado legislature that would pave the way for all-electric buildings to be built across the state.  Environment Colorado’s advocates will continue advocating that in 2022 we can cut pollution, lower bills and make our lives more comfortable by making sure every Colorado home is a clean energy home.