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Home My WebLink AboutAgenda - 08-17-2010 - 3bORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: August 17, 2010 Action Agenda Item No. ~{~ SUBJECT: 2010 International Energy Code Final Action Hearings DEPARTMENT(S): Planning and Inspections; Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR); and Asset Management of Purchasing Services (AMPS) PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): 1. Powerpoint Presentation (abridged) Outlining Impact of Votes at the International Code Council Conference INFORMATION CONTACT: Travis Hargett, Sierra Club, 740-275-6270 Craig Benedict, Planning, 245-2592 David Stancil, DEAPR, 245-2510 Pam Jones, AMPS, 245-2652 PURPOSE: To consider support of the energy efficiency modifications to the International Energy Code Council by sending a voting delegation to a meeting in Charlotte. BACKGROUND: This fall, Orange County has the opportunity to affect national energy efficiency policy. In October, building code officials will meet in Charlotte at the International Code Council Conference (ICC) to establish a new energy code. The "30% Solution" is a comprehensive plan that takes significant strides to increase energy efficiency in new construction. Buildings have long been the largest source of wasted energy in the country and produce about 37 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions. The "30% Solution" is a plan that addresses energy efficiency in a variety of ways, all of which help reduce energy consumption. Here are some of the basics: • Increased energy conservation through incremental insulation and window improvements • Air barrier installation for energy retention • Improved ventilation for internal air quality • Improved lighting efficiency Through these proven and simple measures, savings will occur in energy, money, and natural resources and improve the quality of life. The incremental upfront costs for the builder of these code improvements are already being driven by the growing consumer recognition of the value of saving energy. It is incumbent to ensure that those who occupy the `least safe, least efficient and least well constructed buildings' (the bar set by building codes in general) are afforded some measure of benefit from the improved building science technology of the last 20 years. Additionally, there are economic, environmental, and social benefits for North Carolina if energy codes are improved across the country. North Carolina is already a national leader when it comes to green industry. With an increased national efficiency standard, North Carolina's green economy will grow as it supplies products for buildings across the country. North Carolina's building industry needs support so that the ICC will adopt an effective energy efficiency package that spurs economic growth. Today North Carolina imports nearly 100% of its energy supply. Annually $2.3 billion is spent on coal or approximately $254 per person. In comparison, energy efficiency equates to approximately 75 cents every year per person. An investment in energy will not only lower costs, but it will also help protect local communities and their environment. The United States Department of Energy has estimated that a 30% improvement in national building efficiency would reduce energy bills by $75 billion in 15 years and eliminate the need for 80 new nuclear power plants. As water shortages become more frequent, energy efficiency will help to reduce water use by power plants (it takes 30 gallons water per 1 kV~ and make it easier for local governments to meet the United States Environmental Protection Agency's new ozone air quality standards. The ICC recognizes government members as agencies, departments and units engaged in administration, formulation, or enforcement of laws, regulations, or ordinances relating to public health, safety, and welfare. This includes fire departments, building departments, and public works. Orange County could have several governmental members, with multiple delegations. For example, the building inspections division and other County departments or divisions could each send an eight member delegation of voting members to Charlotte as long as each separate unit registers as an individual governmental member. Currently, the building division is an ICC member, which would provide Orange County with eight voting delegates. If the BOCC desires to send a larger delegation, other departments could become ICC members and each member group could send an eight-person delegation. The last time the "30% Solution" was proposed to the ICC, it failed by six votes. An organized approach may prompt these code modifications to be adopted.. The cheapest energy the country can buy is the energy that is saved. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Membership dues for Orange County are $180 per membership and each membership must be obtained by October 15, 2010 to qualify for voting. Conference costs are $495 per person and accommodations range from $117 to $209 per person per night. The Final Action Hearings (voting processes) are free, but have not been scheduled. Therefore the exact number of days for the series of votes is not known (range is two -four days). . Amtrak fare from Durham to Charlotte is $50 per person roundtrip or mileage would cost $114 per vehicle. The approximate minimum cost per person would be approximately $1,000. Scholarships for conference attendance are available through the following agencies: • North Carolina Building Inspectors Association (NCBIA) -full scholarships for building officials and inspectors (three members of the Inspections Division) • International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) - to be determined • International Code Council, Code of Honor Scholarships -full scholarships for any governmental member designee Staff will apply for these scholarships as soon as they are available. Four ICC Code of Honor Scholarship applications were submitted on July 29, 2010. Monies were included in the FY2009-2010 budget for pursuit of the environmental goals but were not carried forward. Some departments may use travel and training funds for individuals unable to obtain scholarships. RECOMMENDATION (S): The Manager recommends that the Board: • Support the energy efficiency improvements to the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). • Send delegates from Orange County to the ICC Conference to vote for the increased energy efficiency additions to the IECC. The Building Inspections Division membership provides space for eight staff members to attend and vote. This would consist of staff from Building Inspections, Planning, and AMPS. Leading the Nation: Why North Carolina Government Representatives Want to Be in Charlotte This October R. Christopher Mathis President MC2 Mathis Consulting Company .~ Today's Presentation Recap: Building Energy Efficiency Matters! US Energy Code Policy Being Set in Charlotte this October Opportunities for Leadership by NC Communities What YOU can do in Charlotte to Ensure a Better National Energy Code MC2 Mathis Consulting Company Key Message: In Our Backyard! NATIONAL Energy Code Policy will be decided in Charlotte this October Building code officials, government representatives will be the primary decision makers on what that policy will be North Carolina is hosting these critical code hearings North Carolina local governments can decide the outcome for our nation! MC2 Mathis Consulting Company Reminder: Buildings Matter! Buildings > 40% Industria 32% Transportation 28% Source: EIA 2007 MC2 Mathis Consulting Company The Rate of Change... Commercial Energy Consumption by Fuel - 1980 - 2030 ~~ ~.R ~~.~~a. .~. r ~.~Rr ~~~~ ,, , ~.,. 7 a ~_ ~~ MC2 Mathis Consulting Company Source: EIA 2005P~~' ~ Electricity Sources Hydro 6.5% Nuclear 19.3° Natural Gas 18.7% Renewables 2.3% Coal 49.7% Source: EIA 2007 Petroleum 3% MC2 Mathis Consulting Company Electricity Generation Fossil Fuels 71.4% Coal, natural gas, petroleum Source: EIA 2007 MC2 Mathis Consulting Company 0 The Energy MEGATREND Increasing demand Supply challenges Peak power concerns National security Economic security MC2 Mathis Consulting Company Climate Change? Buildings Matter! ~ ~ BUILDING. S are responsible for OVER HALF of our nation's carbon emissions... ~~ ~~~~ ~, ,~ ~_ ~~ , 1 ~.y ~~ 4~i.(' ~ __, .~ B~1lI~~II"a-. S ~' ~ f~~.~~Tf t ~.. .~., ~. '~Y" 1 Source: E IA 2007 ,. y s"w~ W . E 111V 1~1CL L111J VV11J tAl ~lll~ VVlllt./N.11~' ~ ~ N NC Leadership -The new NC Energy Conservation Code is slated to deliver a 30% improvement over the 2006 code. • We're ahead of most of the country because we got a head start, and ~We have serious energy and peak power problems • We are expecting a 50% increase in our population by 2030! MC2 Mathis Consulting Company F w How Did We Get That Savings? Pick Low Hanging Fruit! •A little more insulation. .Better windows • Better duct sealing and insulation • Better lighting • Proper equipment sizing .Reduced air leakage .Stuff that we know WORKS! MC2 Mathis Consulting Company ? .Es ~: r "~ '~- ~~ ~ ~~ ~ I II ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ d t +R ~ _ 4 r •a.f N Yt` 4 ~~. _~ ..___ ;c ~ ~ yfi ~ r y 4 ~~~ 1 y ~ ~. '~ ~ taw G , ( ~ ~ * n Z. _., 1 ,_ ~ mi.i ~.. Y G, - y __~_ _. i ~ r.1 ~ ~-- ~ - '' :: ._ ..~ ,y~, ~~ _~_ k ., i ;, "~' s 3 ~ •i~~~aiu~~ r +r+~~Y~, ~ ~ r 3 3; ~ 1 sa ,~. ~~ . ~~~ ~~ ~~ '.. '~?.~ - ';i _ .a ~~ O ~.r. ~~ • ~ What's 30% Worth? Economic analysis on 30% improved code in NC: .Average up-front cost: $2,372 .Average net annual benefit: $388 ~ Average payback = 4.8 years! MC2 Mathis Consulting Company 1 j Why Should NC Care about the IECC? Even WITH our new NC Energy Code improvements, these national votes are important: .Cost of power nationally affects us in NC Air pollution and drought don't recognize state I i nes . NC manufacturers serve the whole country ~ NC leadership followed in other states MC2 Mathis Consulting Company Why Does This Matter to NC? We import almost 100% of our energy supply •Annually we spend $1.6 billion for fuel to generate electricity. . We STILL don't generate enough to meet our need! • Buy from other regional suppliers • Pay a premium .What about that addition we expect by 2030? al 4 million people MC2 Mathis Consulting Company Energy Inflation is Regressive -Those who can least afford to live in inefficient housing .Low income families and the elderly on fixed incomes spend up to 25% of income on utility bills! .Inability to pay energy bills is the NUMBER ONE factor in home foreclosure! http ://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/library/energy/homelessness . cfin MC2 Mathis Consulting Company ' `.~ The Charlotte Opportunity The Final Action Hearings (FAH) for the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) will be held in Charlotte .October 27 -November 1 ~ ICC Governmental Members will vote to establish the next model code for our nation We have an opportunity to lead... MC2 Mathis Consulting Company .. ,~, 0 Reminder: What is the Code? Least safe... Least strong... Least energy efficient... -...building allowed by law. We're not allowed to build it any crappier... MC2 Mathis Consulting Company ~, f Who Votes Governmental Members of the ICC • Building Officials ~ Local and state officials .Planning departments ~ Water departments .Fire officials Anyone involved in public health, safety and welfare in public service MC2 Mathis Consulting Company ~, N How Many Voters? How Much $? Number of delegates to the hearings determined by population of the town, city or county you serve -Cost between $100 and $280 Population Annual-Dues Delegation Size Up to 50,000 $100 4 50,001-150,000 $ l 80 8 Over 150,000. $280 12 MC2 Mathis Consulting Company ~, w ~~~ t, ~~ , . ~- F' ~ a'lb' ~~ "~ `~'~±'" .. '~ ,,.,~,, o ~ ~ ~r ~...~ ~ ~- i ~~~ •.` :~ ~ ~•.~ - ,. ~~.r~'' . ~r ~~ ~I z. ~ .1 ;~ r •~ . ~ ~ ~ y ~ .~ ~~,~~, i. ~~ n ^ !~ MC2 Mathis Consulting Company F ~; 7: M f r i i1 :N ^: ~ Yi Some of the messages are pretty simple... N ~P NC Leadership Opportunity IECC Final Action Hearings .Charlotte, NC October 28 -November 1 ~ Public Officials from around the country will be voting on proposals to change our nation's model energy code • Over 200 proposals • How much better can we make our nation's model energy code? MC2 Mathis Consulting Company ,~, Get Committed! Register with the ICC! .If not already amember -join! • www.iccsafe.org/Membership/Pages/join.aspx Maximize your delegation ~ Based on size of your city/county .Identify a lead contact Commit to sending full delegation Schedule time to attend Secure travel budget Mcz m,m~s co~sm~me com~~„y N Resources Available ICC "Code of Honor" Scholarships • Can help offset travel costs .Begin July 12,2010 NC Building Inspector's Association: .Upcoming webinars ~ Funding for travel scholarships ~ Check website for updates _, ,~,. ,~ I~~ w I~I~P~CTQ~RS~ ~ASSQ~IATl~3 MC2 Mathis Consulting Company - ~, J Recap: Action Items: Get registered with ICC Maximize your delegation size .Groups of 8 can vote, delegations of 8 are li memberships. number of mited by ICC Commit to go and vote in Charlotte -Submit travel scholarship requests now! Give your voters direction! . We can easily improve the code by 30% or M~~ Ma ~,=~~om . N OD Today's Decisions... Have a long term impact •Jobs ~ Housing .Offices .Power plants .More stable energy prices .For the life of the building! MC2 Mathis Consulting Company ~