BCAP 1-Pager 2011

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THE

BUILDING CODES ASSISTANCE PROJECT
The Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP) is dedicated to the adoption, implementation and advancement of building energy codes. Our team of advocates, technical experts and researchers is on call to help states and municipalities develop comprehensive energy code strategies that reduce energy use in buildings and achieve significant cost savings.

WHY ENERGY CODES?
Residential and commercial buildings account for over 40% of total energy use in the United States. Energy efficiency—through the adoption and enforcement of strong building energy codes—is one of the quickest, cheapest and cleanest ways to reduce energy consumption and achieve a sustainable and prosperous future.

Code Adoption and Implementation
Energy codes are advancing quickly, but not everyone’s moving at the same speed. State and local adoption varies widely across the United States, and even from city to city. Established in 1994, BCAP is a joint initiative of the Alliance to Save Energy, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy and the Natural Resources Defense Council. In the United States, BCAP works with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), state energy offices, regional energy efficiency alliances, building professionals, utilities and other partner organizations to educate states, municipalities and the building community about the benefits of energy-efficient buildings and support them in adopting and implementing more effective energy codes. BCAP also applies its expertise in other countries, providing technical analysis and implementation support most recently in India, Ukraine and across APEC economies. As a nonprofit advocacy organization with over 16 years of experience with energy codes, BCAP has the expertise to develop a comprehensive, locally specific energy code program that leverages existing technical and advocacy resources. BCAP can help you improve the effectiveness of your code programs and ensure their long-term success.

Code Education and Training
Energy codes are often technical and complex. Determining how to use them effectively to achieve a variety of national, state and local goals can be daunting. Moreover, even a well-written code is no more than words on paper without the efforts of design professionals, builders and code officials to comply with and enforce the code—and often such implementation is difficult to achieve. BCAP is here to help. Our staff is available to facilitate communication between stakeholders and provide training materials, technical assistance and code enforcement guidance. For instance, BCAP’s Code Institutes provide a forum for building professionals to meet face-to-face with their peers to discuss code advancement opportunities and engage in a lively Q&A with key figures in the building sector. Each Institute addresses current issues related to building energy codes and targets specific audiences that could benefit from working together to advance building energy efficiency. Contact BCAP if you are interested in co-hosting a Code Institute on a particular topic.

The Online Code Environment and Advocacy Network (OCEAN)
BCAP is excited to host OCEAN, the online community and international best practice network for everything related to energy codes. The site gives users the ability to: LEARN—Find best practices, lessons learned, reports and more from BCAP and experts from across the codes world SHARE—Weigh in with your knowledge and experience to find solutions to challenging issues

Building Codes Assistance Project | 1850 M Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036 | p: 202-857-0666 | f: 202-331-9588 | www.bcap-ocean.org

BCAP
CONNECT—Build relationships and draw on the collective expertise of others in a virtual community of professionals Visit OCEAN today at: www.bcap-ocean.org

BCAP’s International Work
BCAP works to share our resources and expertise to advance more efficient codes across the globe where countries share common challenges: INDIA: BCAP provided early technical review of the voluntary Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) and helped with its launch through development of technical materials and a user guide. We continue to work to promote effective implementation on the ground. APEC ECONOMIES: BCAP analyzed energy codes across APEC economies and assisted member economies in creating plans to strengthen energy codes and critical infrastructure. UKRAINE: BCAP is providing technical review and implementation to strengthen the Ukrainian energy code and related programs by aligning them more closely with the EU Directive on energy codes and EU member practices. ARID REGIONS: BCAP staff presented at a green energy and sustainability conference in Amman, Jordan on energy code standards and enforcement challenges. BEST PRACTICES: BCAP is beginning stage two of OCEAN: expand the network’s offering of best practices for energy codes around the world. If you would like to get involved, please email Aleisha Khan at [email protected].

U.S. Code Advocacy
BCAP conducts advocacy activities on behalf of DOE by providing direct assistance to states, counties and cities. Our role as an impartial advocate for energy-efficient codes gives us the credibility to coordinate action between disparate stakeholders. States are required under federal law (EPAct 1994)—and often as a condition of funding (most recently the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009)—to take action on updating their energy codes. Unfortunately, for many states, adopting and updating new codes is easier said than done. Most are unaware of the full environmental and economic benefits of adopting strong energy codes. Buildings use over one-third of our energy, two-thirds of our electricity and one-eighth of our water. In 2010 alone, U.S. households spent about $2,175 on energy bills, while the commercial sector spent an estimated $183 billion on non-renewable energy expenditures. To educate states on the issues and ensure that each remains eligible for additional federal funds, BCAP maintains state-specific data on current codes, energy use and construction rates. This information, coupled with BCAP’s ability to coordinate interested parties, provides policy makers and advocates with the tools they need to support the adoption of stronger codes that reduce energy use, improve indoor air quality, and put money back into the hands of consumers and businesses.

BCAP in Action
BCAP recognizes the need for ongoing code education, research and advocacy and offers states and municipalities a number of activities and resources designed to support these efforts.

OCEAN
Serves as an online community and international best practice network, providing valuable resources and information on energy-efficient construction and other coderelated activities—Visit OCEAN today at: www.bcap-ocean.org

COMPLIANCE PLANNING
Identifies gaps in state code implementation, assists in developing long-term strategies and shares best practices and solutions across states For more information about any of our advocacy activities, please contact BCAP Advocacy Director Cosimina Panetti at [email protected].

CODE BUILDER INCREMENTAL COST ANALYSIS POLICY ACTION TOOL

Explains energy code requirements to builders, architects and building departments Measures the true cost impact of updating to the 2009 IECC

Offers policy recommendations and links to existing legislation in order to assist states and jurisdictions in developing policies that meet their energy goals

Building Codes Assistance Project | 1850 M Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036 | p: 202-857-0666 | f: 202-331-9588 | www.bcap-ocean.org

BCAP

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