Quit squabbling over codes, pass energy bill

The Tennessee Clean Energy Future Act returns to the floor of the Tennessee House today and we urge members to get behind it.

The bill focuses on three important areas – requiring government to lead by example by improving energy efficiency in public buildings and cars, by providing incentives for job creation in clean-energy technology and by promoting increased energy efficiency in homes.

The bill soared through the state Senate on a vote of 28-1, but stalled in the House last Thursday when members began arguing over opposition to residential building codes. Tennessee has no statewide residential building code and the bill includes a provision to enforce a basic standard for all new homes. The problem is that 60 of Tennessee’s 95 counties are without residential building code standards and most are resistant to adopting any.

Sound energy policy starts with energy efficiency. And energy efficiency starts with minimum building standards for new homes. Failure to have these standards is a key reason why homes in Tennessee are so energy inefficient. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, Tennessee has the highest per-capita electricity use in the country. Reputable builders install insulation, but there is no requirement in most counties to do so. And if a homeowner wants to build a plywood room onto a single-wide trailer, most counties in Tennessee won’t prevent it.

Several legislators, including Rep. Jason Mumpower, R-Bristol, argued last week that the cost of a home building code inspection would hurt lower-income residents. “I understand that for well-heeled attorneys or perhaps for people in other professions, $500 might not be a lot of money,” he said, regarding the estimated cost of a building code inspection. But Mumpower is wrong. The inspection – estimated at $350 to $500 – would apply only to new home construction, not existing home owners.

Even home builders think it’s needed. On Tuesday the bill was vigorously endorsed by the Home Builders Association of Tennessee. The organization called the bill “one of the most important and progressive bills in the history of residential construction in the state” because it would establish a minimum standard for a quality, well-built structure.
“We do not believe that having minimum building standards and codes will keep individuals out of the new housing market, but rather will save Tennessee home buyers thousands of dollars over the life of their home,” a release from the Home Builders Association states.

It is unacceptable that homes could be built in Tennessee in 2009 without insulation. Basic standards are long overdue. The International Residential Code standard included in the bill is the accepted industry standard and this department already provides required electrical inspections in areas without any residential code. Virginia has a statewide building code based on the IRC standards. Tennessee needs to follow suit for the safety and energy efficiency of its residents.

This bill is much bigger than the skirmish over building codes. It would launch a five-year program to increase energy efficiency in state buildings, including overhauls and repairs of mechanical systems and equipment. It would require the use of Energy Star equipment and appliances by state agencies. These products are certified to be energy efficient and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The bill also aims to have all of Tennessee’s fleet of state-owned cars be energy-efficient and specifies that 25 percent of newly purchased cars must be hybrid electric or compact, fuel-efficient cars.

Another important element of the bill is expanding eligibility for federal funds that can be used to weatherize homes. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Tennessee could get $99 million for insulation, weather stripping and other efficiency devices in homes. The bill would adjust eligibility for the funds so homeowners who earn 200 percent of the federal poverty level would still qualify. That means a family of four with an income of $44,100 could get help weatherizing their home, which would help with lower fuel bills in the future.

It is wrong for members of the Tennessee House to keep squabbling over the residential building code provisions of this bill. Basic standards of safety and energy-efficiency in Tennessee homes are long overdue.

This bill is a smart approach to reduce public costs for energy in public buildings, to encourage government to buy efficient cars, to have basic efficiency standards in all new homes and to give home owners the ability to weatherize their own homes.

The state Senate has already shown solid support, passing the measure 28-1. The House should put aside bickering and pass this measure today to give Tennesseans greater energy savings, more energy-efficient government and safer homes.