Page 61 - Green Builder Sept-Oct 2019 Issue

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CODE ARENA Sustained growth. The state of Maine, known for its

lush green landscapes, will consider several climate
The Latest Rules, Regulations and Codes Impacting Sustainable Construction change-related bills in coming months.
CREDIT: DREW TARVIN/FLICKR

renewable energy at 80 percent by 2030 and an appendix to the Maine Uniform Building and
100 percent by 2050. Energy Code. The appendix contains energy
conservation and efficiency requirements that
■ LD 1614 simply calls for the creation of a are based on established national voluntary
■
14-member commission to study the economic, efficiency standards that exceed the energy
environmental and energy benefits of energy code requirements established in the state code.
storage to the Maine electricity industry. The The stretch code will be available no later than
commission will meet a minimum of four times, July 1, 2020.
has a seven-point directive, and must submit a
report to the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Governor Janet Mills and the Maine legislature is making a
Technology by Dec. 4, 2019. clear commitment to mitigate climate change and reduce its
carbon footprint while simultaneously generating employment
■ LD 1509 slightly modifies the membership of the Technical opportunities for its residents. This is what bold and decisive
■
Building Codes and Standards Board to include the Director of action looks like. GB
the Efficiency Maine Trust, who serves in an ex officio role and may
not vote. The six-page bill also stipulates that the Maine Uniform Mike Collignon is the executive director and co-founder of the
Building and Energy Code consists of the IBC, IEBC, IRC, IECC, Green Builder Coalition.
®
IMC, ASHRAE 62.1, ASHRAE 62.2, ASHRAE 90.1 and ASTM’s
Standard Practice for Radon Control Options for the Design and
Construction of New Low-Rise Residential Buildings. Finally, it COURTESY OF

makes the state code mandatory for municipalities more than The Green Builder®Coalition
4,000 residents. For municipalities with 4,000 residents or less, the

enforcement of the code is optional, but the state code is the only The Green Builder®Coalition is a not-for-profit association dedicated
code they can adopt and enforce should they choose to have a code. to amplifying the voice of green builders and professionals, driving
advocacy and education for more sustainable homebuilding
■ LD 1543 gives the legislative green light to municipalities that practices. For more information, visit GreenBuilderCoalition.org
■
want to adopt a stretch code for energy efficiency by creating

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