The Need
Currently in the U.S., annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are projected to rise from 7.2 gigatons CO2e in 2005 to 9.7 gigatons CO2e in 2030, an increase of 35%. Buildings are consuming approximately 48% of the energy in this country compared to industry at 25% and transportation at 27%. As the U.S. economy moves toward a carbon market, it is vital that the nation’s biggest energy consuming sector takes strong measures to complement emission reduction programs aimed at the industrial and transportation sectors. One of the cheapest and fastest ways to reduce our nation’s energy demand and GHG emissions is through increased energy efficiency across all sectors. This is especially true for buildings where programs need to address both new construction and the retrofit of existing buildings.
A building constructed without optimum energy efficiency means decades of high cost and lost opportunity.
Solutions
- Congress should establish a national goal of increased energy efficiency of 30% for model energy codes by 2012 and 50% by 2018 based on the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
- Congress should provide incentives to states that adopt these model energy efficiency codes in a prescribed timeline upon a determination by the Department of Energy.
- Federal tax credits for existing homes should be extended in order to motivate homeowners to take advantage of more comprehensive energy efficient improvements.
- Congress should establish grants to regional sponsors of programs, like Home Improvement with Energy Star, aimed at improving the energy efficiency performance of existing homes in the U.S.
- Congress should continue funding the DOE Weatherization program at levels commensurate with the APPA funding levels.
- A building labeling program that serves to inform potential buyers of a building’s energy efficiency performance should be implemented
