Page 57 - Green Builder Magazine January 2016 Digital Edition
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The New N.C. Building IMAGE CREDIT: SEIA
Code Council
Solar Staller. In 2014, North Carolina installed 397 MW of solar
HB 255 creates a new 17-member building code electric capacity, ranking it 2nd nationally. Will HB 332 put the
council, composed of a 17-member residential brakes on this progress?
committee and a nine-member building
code committee, to be structured as follows. and it’s shocking that there was no avenue for recourse. As for HB
332, 6 percent is a paltry number; in the landscape of other state
(Committee designation: R = Residential, B = Building Code): renewable energy standards, even 10 percent is relatively low. Given
the state’s existing industry, we feel they could easily hit, and most
■■ Two licensed architects (B), likely exceed, the 10 percent target.
■■ One licensed general contractor (B), Next, HB 255 is a broad bill. The change to the code adoption
process is interesting in that there is neither a single energy efficiency
■■ One licensed general contractor specializing in residential professional, nor a low-income housing voice, on the entire council. It
construction (R; Chair), would be nice if there was the opportunity for one (but obviously not
both) of those representatives on the council via the “representative
■■ One licensed general contractor specializing in coastal of the public” seat. However, that spot is reserved for someone not
residential construction (R), in the building industry, which really makes that council member
tantamount to an HOA member. We’re not sure what that seat is
■■ One licensed engineer practicing structural engineering (R & B), supposed to contribute to the process, other than provide political
cover to the state that they are allowing general public involvement.
■■ One licensed engineer practicing mechanical engineering (B), The reduction in potential permit revenue reduces building and
remodeling costs, but is also something that nearly every building
■■ One licensed engineer practicing electrical engineering (B), department in the country doesn’t need. GB
■■ One licensed plumbing and heating contractor (R), REFERENCES
■■ One municipal or county building inspector (R), 1) Nevada Senate Bill 374 - http://bit.ly/1PWl9aC
2) “NC Senate Panel Rushes Energy Bill Through” by Craig Jarvis of
■■ One licensed liquid petroleum gas dealer/contractor involved in
the design of natural and liquid petroleum gas systems who has The News & Observer, May 20, 2015. http://bit.ly/1BcymjQ
expertise and experience in natural and liquid petroleum gas 3) North Caroline House Bill 255 - http://bit.ly/1ISDTzP
piping, venting and appliances,
COURTESY OF
■■ One representative of the public who is not a member of the
building construction industry, The Green Builder® Coalition
■■ One licensed electrical contractor (R), The Green Builder® Coalition is a not-for-profit association
■■ One licensed engineer on the engineering staff of a state agency dedicated to amplifying the voice of green builders
charged with approval of plans of stateowned buildings (B),
and professionals to drive advocacy and education for
■■ One municipal elected official or city manager (B),
more sustainable homebuilding practices.
■■ One county commissioner or county manager, (http://GreenBuilderCoalition.org)
■■ One active member of the North Carolina fire service with For more information, contact Mike Collignon, executive director at
expertise in fire safety, as recommended by the North Carolina mcollignon@greenbuildercoalition.org
State Firemen’s Association (R & B).
by that licensed architect or licensed engineer.
■■ (3) That licensed architect or licensed engineer provides the city
with a signed written document stating the component or element of
the building so inspected is in compliance with the North Carolina
State Building Code or the North Carolina Residential Code for one-
and two-family dwellings.
OBSERVATION(S)
First, the freezing of the renewable energy rates shouldn’t come as a
surprise (if passed). This is the same state legislature that refuses to
use science to guide future coastal policies related to sea-level rise,
preferring to instead stick its collective head in the sand. The lack
of professionalism when conducting the vote was rather appalling,
www.greenbuildermedia.com January/February 2016 GREEN BUILDER 55
