February 18, 2008

Mayor Fenty Joins Other US Mayors to Encourage More Energy-Efficient Building Code

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty has joined mayors from across the country in calling for the adoption of more energy-efficient building standards. The reforms, known as the 30% Solution, would make new residential construction 30 percent more energy efficient. In a letter to the International Energy Code Committee*, the mayoral coalition urged the committee "to take an ambitious, achievable and affordable step toward improving America's energy efficiency."

"Climate change is beginning to affect our cities in ways we never imagined," said Mayor Fenty. "A challenge like this requires a bold solution from multiple cities in multiple states."

Joining Mayor Fenty in his call to action are Mayors Michael Bloomberg (New York City), Manny Diaz (Miami), Greg Nickels (Seattle), Doug Palmer (Trenton) and Will Wynn (Austin).

George Hawkins, Director of the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) was encouraged by the possibility of changes and said, "Incorporating these changes will reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions."

"The 30% Solution" includes:

• Higher-efficiency window requirements
• Increased flexibility and higher efficiency for insulation requirements
• Improved building envelope sealing to reduce air leaks
• Increased flexibility and higher efficiency and function
• HVAC sizing requirements to maximize efficiency and function
• Lighting efficiency improvements
• Improvements to energy modeling methodologies
• Consolidation of codes to reduce market confusion