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Building Energy Code Working Group

Building Energy Code Working Group - 2024 

Act 151 of 2024 reconstituted the Building Energy Code Working Group to recommend strategies for increasing compliance with the Residential Building Energy Standards (RBES) and Commercial Building Energy Standards (CBES). The Working Group will have 15 members with expertise in Vermont’s construction industry.

The first meeting of the Working Group was conducted online on June 27th at 1:00 PM.

Additional meetings will be held at the following times.

Tuesday, August 20th – 1:00-3:30   

Tuesday, September 10th – 9:30-12:00   

Friday, October 11th – 9:30-12:00      Meeting Link - In person meeting location: Vermont Statehouse Room 9

Tuesday, October 22nd – 1:00-3:30   Meeting Link - In person meeting location: Vermont Statehouse Room 9

Friday, November 1st – 9:30-12:00    Meeting Link - In person meeting location: Vermont Statehouse Room 9

 

Agendas & Meeting Minutes

Agenda                              Recording                    Meeting Minutes                                Supporting Documents

2024.06.27 Agenda        June 27, 2024       2024.06.27 Approved Minutes              DRAFT BECWG Workplan

2024.08.20 Agenda      August 20, 2024     2024.08.20 Approved Minutes    DOE Energy Code Admin WG presentation

2024.09.10 Agenda    September 10, 2024     2024.09.10 Draft Minutes                 EFG RECI Grant Presentation

                                                                                                                                                           Dept of Fire Safety Presentation

                                                                                 

Building Energy Code Study Committee - 2023

As of December 1, 2023, the Building Energy Code Study Committee Report has been submitted to the Vermont State Legislature. The report is linked below;

Act 47 Building Energy Code Study Committee Report

Legislation

Act 47, passed in 2023, required the Public Service Department to set up an Energy Code Compliance Study Committee.

The purpose of the Committee is as follows:

  1. consider and recommend strategies to increase awareness of and compliance with the RBES and CBES.
  2. evaluate current cost-effectiveness.
  3. assess how the building energy codes interact with the fire and building safety codes.

Study Committee Members

  • Christopher Bray – VT Senate (Committee Chair)
  • Scott Campbell - VT House of Representatives
  • Sandra Vitzthum - Sandra Vitzthum Architect LLC
  • Craig Peltier - VT Housing and Conservation Board
  • Richard Faesy - Energy Futures Group
  • Kelly Launder – VT Department of Public Service
  • Michael Desrochers – VT Department of Public Safety - Division of Fire Safety
  • Matt Sharpe – Efficiency Vermont
  • Chris Burns – City of Burlington Electric Department
  • Timothy Perrin – Vermont Gas Systems
  • Bob Duncan – A.I.A. and Duncan Wisniewski Architecture
  • Jason Webster - Vermont Builders and Remodelers Association
  • Matt Musgrave - Association of General Contractors of Vermont
  • Ted Brady - Vermont League of Cities and Towns
  • Chris Campany - Windham Regional Planning Commission

Meeting Dates (meeting time, 9:30 AM - noon)

These meetings are scheduled to take place in Giga Conference room located on the 3rd floor of the Public Service Department at 112 State Street, Montpelier and will be held in person with accommodation for remote participation. Entrance to Department of Public Service offices at rear of building (side facing away from State Street).

The meeting schedule is as follows;

  • 7/25, Tuesday - This meeting was held entirely remotely.
  • 8/8, Tuesday - In Person Participation is Optional 
  • 8/22, Tuesday - This meeting was held entirely remotely 
  • 9/5, Tuesday - In Person Participation is Optional 
  • 9/12, Tuesday - In Person Participation is Optional 
  • 10/5, Thursday - In Person Participation is Optional 
  • 10/31, Tuesday - In Person Participation is Optional 
  • 11/17, Friday - In Person Participation is Optional 
  • 11/28, Tuesday - Remote meeting 

Draft Meeting Work Plan

 

Agendas & Meeting Minutes

Questions regarding upcoming meeting dates and agendas may be addressed to Keith Levenson at (802) 828 4072 or via e-mail at keith.levenson@vermont.gov

Meeting Recording             Agenda                               Minutes                     

     July 14, 2023                       2023.07.14 Agenda          2023.07.14 Approved Minutes        

     July 25, 2023                       2023.07.25 Agenda          2023.07.25 Approved Minutes

     August 8, 2023                    2023.08.08 Agenda          2023.08.08 Approved Minutes

     August 22, 2023                  2023.08.22 Agenda          2023.08.22 Approved Minutes

    September 5, 2023              2023.09.05 Agenda          2023.09.05 Approved Minutes

    September 12, 2023            2023.09.12 Agenda          2023.09.12 Approved Minutes

    October 05, 2023                 2023.10.05 Agenda          2023.10.05 Approved Minutes

    October 31, 2023                 2023.10.31 Agenda          2023.10.31 Approved Minutes

    November 17, 2023             2023.11.17 Agenda           2023.11.17 Approved Minutes

    November 28, 2023             2023.11.28 Agenda           2023.11.28 Draft Minutes*

*The Minutes from Meeting #9 will not be formally approved as this was the final meeting of the BECSC

Committee Meeting Reference Materials

Meeting Materials for 8/8/23

Comparison of all 50 States' Building Codes updated 0904

Detailed Comparison of States' Energy Codes

Comparison of States’ Energy Codes - Commentary

Proposed MINIMUM Scenario for Vermont Energy Codes and Related Matters

Meeting Materials for 8/22/23

Michael Desrochers Energy Code Presentation

Walt Adams Energy Code Presentation

Jason Webster Energy Code Presentation

Sandy Vitzhum Energy Code Presentation

Bob Duncan Energy Code Presentation

Matt Musgrave Energy Code Presentation

AIA HBRA EFG - Joint Statement

Meeting Materials for 9/12/23

Act 47 BECSC Test agreement v.9-11-23

BECSC report outline 9-8-23 | Sandy Vitzhum Edits

Recommended CBES Phasing by AIAVT

Recommended RBES Phasing by VBRA

HERS Rating Research

Vermont Contractor Registry Presentation

Contractors Sunrise Report

Meeting Materials for 10/05/23

BECSC Report Outline 9-26-23

Sub-Committee Proposed Cost Effectiveness Subcommittee Recommendations

VT Energy Workforce Development Funding and Initiatives_September 2023

50 State comparison v.0904 - S.Vitzhum

BECSC report task force edits- S.Vitzhum

CBES chart 231002 - S.Vitzhum

RBES chart 231002 - S.Vitzhum

Diagrams - S.Vitzhum

Other Materials

Comments of Cost effectiveness 9-11-23 - W.Adams

State Building And Energy Codes

Energy Grant Money Use draft Oct 5

ACEEE Report_energy codes in each state

ACT 47 BECSC Report Draft 10-24-23

ACT 47 BECSC Report with AIA Proposed Edits 10-31-23

AG CAP Complaints Filtered