Enhancing Energy Code Compliance through Partnerships with Utilities

As states and local jurisdictions focus their attention on improving compliance of building energy codes, they are increasingly collaborating with energy utilities to achieve this goal. Some governments have created partnerships with their utilities to couple energy efficiency programs that will enhance code compliance. These partnerships are mutually beneficial, allowing governments to receive financial support and technical assistance for improving code compliance while allowing utilities to claim the energy savings that arise from higher compliance. This paper will discuss the rationale behind these budding partnerships; articulate a framework for how to achieve the mutual goals of utilities and the energy code community. Examples from Minnesota, Massachusetts, Illinois and California will highlight how these states are currently leading the development and implementation of energy code programs geared towards improving compliance with the energy code. This paper will include details on these efforts and discuss the obstacles as well as the keys to success for these types of programs.