Officials Back Big Boost for Building Energy Efficiency Code
Local and state building code officials approved revisions to the commercial section of the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) that represent the largest single-step efficiency increase in the history of the national energy code, officials said.
New and renovated buildings constructed in jurisdictions that follow the 2012 IECC model will use 30% less energy than those built to current standards.
The improvements are part of a comprehensive proposal submitted jointly by DOE, the nonprofit New Buildings Institute, and the American Institute of Architects. The proposal addresses measures such as cooling, lighting, quality assurance, and renewable energy standards.
The comprehensive proposal is based on NBI's Core Performance protocol, a direct approach to achieving energy savings in commercial buildings. The 2012 IECC will serve as the baseline standard for the International Green Construction Code currently under development. Additionally, the 2012 IECC contains many first-ever technical features, including a section on commissioning, pathways to use daylighting, and options for the use of on-site renewable energy. It will be published in April 2011 for adoption by state and local agencies. See the AIA press release and the NBI Web site.
DOE and EPA Release 2011 Fuel Economy Guide
DOE and the EPA released the 2011 Fuel Economy Guide which provides information on estimated mileage and fuel costs for model year 2011 vehicles. It includes medium-duty passenger vehicles for the first time, which are generally large SUVs and passenger vans. Additional fuel economy information will be added online as more information about 2011 vehicles, including electric and plug-in hybrid cars, becomes available.
Overall, hybrids are the best fuel economy performers, but the 2011 list also includes clean diesels. Toyota's Prius leads the midsized category, with a 51 mpg city and 48 mpg highway rating. The newly added SUV category is tied among the Ford Escape Hybrid FWD, the Mazda Tribute Hybrid 2WD, and the Mercury Mariner Hybrid FW, which get 34 mpg city and 31 mpg highway.
DOE and EPA maintain http://www.fueleconomy.gov/ to help people make informed fuel economy choices when purchasing vehicles and to help them achieve the best fuel economy possible from cars they own. Visitors can enter their local gasoline prices and typical driving habits to receive personalized fuel cost estimates. See the DOE press release, the 2011 Fuel Economy Guide , the leaders within each class, and the fueleconomy.gov Web site.
Voters Approve Over $1 Billion in Transportation Investment
Voters in 13 states-from Hawaii to Rhode Island-approved 22 of 30 transportation improvement measures on November 2, according to the Center for Transportation Excellence. Nearly $500 million in funding will be spent over five years on transportation as a result. So far in 2010, voters approved 43 of 56 measures, supporting more than $1 billion in local infrastructure and services.
