Page 62 - Green Builder Sept-Oct 2020 Issue
P. 62
CODE ARENA
The Latest Rules, Regulations and Codes Impacting Sustainable Construction
More Power, Please
A file folder full of green energy bills await state and local lawmakers when they
return to office next year.
BY MIKE COLLIGNON
ITH COMMUNITIES increas-
ingly turning toward alterna-
tive energy sources to power
their homes and businesses,
W state and local governments
have been working on bills designed to make it
easier to move away from fossil fuels. Here are
several pieces of legislation in the works.
MARYLAND
Before adjournment, the Maryland state
legislature was working on HB , a bill which
includes a blend of regulation and incentives.
First, it looks to prevent condominiums or
homeowner associations from prohibiting or
unreasonably restricting the installation of
electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment by
unit owners. There are a few speci
c rules that
would have to be followed, such as requiring
the building owner to hire a licensed contractor
for installation and pay for separately metered
electricity. The installation cannot unreason-
ably impede the normal use of an area outside
the unit owner’s parking space, and must com-
ply with building codes, safety standards and
architectural standards. It also calls for the unit A new ‘Leaf’ line. Charging an electric vehicle at home will be safer for Maryland residents if
owner to reimburse the HOA for any insurance legislation on charging station installs passes the State senate. CREDIT: NCDOT COMMUNICATIONS¤FLICKR
premium increases attributed to the EV charg-
ing equipment. COLORADO
Secondly, the bill would establish an EV infrastructure grant Summit County, as well as the towns of Frisco, Breckenridge and
program for individuals, businesses, state and local government Dillon, have adopted the Summit County Sustainable Building
entities, retail station dealers and condominiums to install charging Code. This means that all new residential construction must comply
equipment. The grant would cover “the costs of acquiring and with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Zero Energy Ready
installing quali
ed electric vehicle charging equipment.” It is a fairly Home program. This program applies to R- and R- occupancies,
generous grant program, with the funding capped at percent of as well as R- occupancies of four stories or less. Additions to the
the costs or $ for individuals, whichever is lower. For businesses, code include commercial buildings, multifamily and single-family
the same percentage applies, but the dollar option goes up to $,. homes becoming electric vehicle (EV)-ready.
Finally, for a retail service station dealer or condominium association, The new EV charging requirements incorporate the technical
the grant can equal percent or $,, whichever is lower. speci
cations from the IECC. All new one- and two-family
The bill overwhelmingly passed the House (-) and was sent homes must be equipped with one EV-ready parking space that
to the Senate, where it was referred to the Judicial Proceedings supports a Level charger. Larger parking lots serving multifamily
Committee for review. residential and commercial buildings will provide EV charging
60 GREEN BUILDER September/October 2020 www.greenbuildermedia.com
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