Hi everyone,
The ICC model code development process isn't easy to follow, but I don't want to bog everyone down in
all of the nitty-gritty details, so let me start by saying that
the Zero Code proposal is alive and well -- and we still need your help! The most important phase of outreach is coming up in just one week -- so we need the help of AIA members more than ever to get it into the next (2021) edition of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)!
Bear with me for a couple minutes while I walk everyone through it:
- The first phase of the process essentially sets the approval threshold for the second phase of the process. This May at the ICC Group B Committee Action Hearings, the Zero Code Renewable Energy Appendix proposal (CE264-19) came before the IECC commercial energy code committee. The committee approved the proposal As Submitted (AS) by a vote of 9-6, meaning the proposal needs a simple majority of 50%+1 during the subsequent public vote of ICC members to make it into the next IECC (Note: Had the committee vote to Disapprove (D) the proposal, it would have needed a 2/3 supermajority during the public vote to make it into the IECC).
- CE264-19 was debated on October 30, the final day of the ICC Group B Public Comment Hearings in Las Vegas. AIA and Architecture 2030 (the proposal's sponsors) worked with a great group of AIA members and staff testifying in support of the code change. The timing of the debate, however, happened to fall very late in the eight days of scheduled debate, so many ICC voters had departed the room for flights home, etc. Only 29 votes were cast - 13 for Approval As Submitted (AS) and 16 for Disapproval (D). There is, however, a long road to go!
- Similar to many state and local elections, the options for participation have expanded in recent years. Voting in person at the Public Comment Hearings is no longer the only means through which ICC voting members can cast a ballot. Any ICC member who was validated as a Governmental Member Voting Representative (GMVR) will be allowed to cast a ballot online starting next week. Any validated GMVR who voted in person in Las Vegas will also be allowed to change their original vote on a proposal, if they choose.
- ICC will host its Online Governmental Consensus Vote (OGCV) at www.cdpaccess.com beginning Monday, November 18 and ending Thursday, December 5 at 11:59pm Pacific Time. Any ICC member validated as a GMVR can cast their ballot on CE264-19 and hundreds of other proposals during this 17-day voting period.
As an analogy, I have compared the Las Vegas hearings to
Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, a small town known for the entire town casting their ballots and reporting its vote total shortly after midnight each Election Day. We may have lost Dixville Notch, but we have the rest of Election Day and the rest of the state to make up the difference!
Right now, CE264-19 is down by three votes (13-16) after Las Vegas, but there are still hundreds of voters out there to contact, inform, and persuade.The AIA is drafting a voter card of its recommended positions on 40 of the highest-priority code change proposals, with CE264-19 right at the top recommended for Approval As Submitted (AS). We will make the voter card available online late this week and will be distributing it to the ICC voters we know as well as AIA component executives.
If you know any ICC voters (those GMVRs I mentioned above) in your professional practice, you can get involved by reaching out to them, talking with them about the Zero Code Renewable Energy Appendix and AIA's other priority positions, and forwarding them our voter card.
If you have any questions or want to chat more, I'm always available via email at
codes@aia.org and my cell (402) 968-1384.
PK
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Paul Karrer
Sr. Manager, Building Codes Policy
AIA Government Advocacy
Washington DC
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2019 20:55
From: Andrew Queenan
Subject: call to action: please contact code officials about Zero Code this month
Hi Kira,
In reading the message from William Bates, it indicates that the voting was to occur on October 30. Was it a one time vote or is the voting period open for a time? I would like to spread the word locally but also don't want to share it after the fact if we cannot impact it now.
Thanks
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Andrew Queenan AIA
Project Architect
Tower Pinkster
Grand Rapids MI
Original Message:
Sent: 11-07-2019 17:51
From: Kira Gould
Subject: call to action: please contact code officials about Zero Code this month
Support the ZERO Code Renewable Energy Standard
The ZERO Code Renewable Energy Appendix, if approved by the International Code Council (ICC) voting members via online vote in November, will become part of the 2021 IECC (International Energy Conservation Code).
The appendix will enable local jurisdictions to adopt a zero-net-carbon building standard as part of the IECC code.
AIA has asked all its members to contact their states, cities, and code officials to support the vote in favor of the ZERO Code Renewable Energy Appendix.
In addition, here is a http://content.aia.org/sites/default/files/2019-08/Guidance_Document_for_Building_Code_Officials_CE264-19.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">helpful resource from the AIA on the ZERO Code Renewable Energy Appendix
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Kira Gould
Principal
Kira Gould CONNECT
Oakland CA
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