By Cornelia Wu | Thu, September 26, 24
On September 16, NEEP was selected by the US Department of Energy (DOE) to implement two major projects as part of the Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation (RECI) initiative. The National Energy Code Technical Assistance by Region (NECTAR) project will be led by NEEP in partnership with all Regional Energy Efficiency Organizations (REEOs) to support energy codes and building performance standards across the U.S. NEEP will also lead the first-ever National Rural Codes Collaborative (NRCC) in partnership with regional, state, and national partners. Here we discuss how these projects will make major strides in the Northeast and nationally toward stronger building energy codes that lower energy costs, reduce emissions, and improve health and safety.
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act
DOE announced $90 million in competitive awards for the RECI initiative, which is funded by Section 40511 of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The cohort of 25 selected projects will support adoption and implementation of updated energy codes and building performance standards for residential and commercial buildings at the state, tribal, and local level. Together with the $1 billion available to states through Section 50131 of the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides technical assistance for the adoption of building energy codes, these unprecedented investments recognize the importance of building energy codes and building performance standards for energy efficiency, affordability, resilience, and decarbonization. These codes and standards will help families save on utility bills, reduce energy burden in all communities, improve public health by reducing local air pollution, and fight climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
NEEP-Led Projects will Leverage Regional Partnerships
With this second round of RECI funding, NEEP is excited to begin working on these two major partnerships and initiatives:
National Energy Code Technical Assistance by Region (NECTAR) ($7.5 million, four years): NEEP is one of six REEOs that are independent, non-profit, mission-oriented organizations to advance energy efficiency across the nation (NEEP, MEEA, NEEA, SEEA, SPEER, and SWEEP). This funding will ensure that the REEOs can continue their work supporting states and jurisdictions in the equitable adoption and implementation of energy codes and building performance standards. While NEEP is leading this four-year project, all REEOs will be working both independently and collectively to convene regional stakeholders, provide adoption and implementation assistance, and support workforce initiatives in states and local jurisdictions across the U.S.
National Rural Codes Collaborative (NRCC) ($3.6 million, four years): NEEP will establish a first-ever, national rural codes collaborative in partnership with all REEOs; the states of Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, and Texas; the Tribal Homeownership Coalition of the Southwest; and the International Code Council. The project will develop, implement, and evaluate tailored programs that overcome barriers to successfully adopting, implementing, and enforcing energy codes and efficiency programs in rural and tribal communities across the country.
Conclusion
NEEP looks forward to working with our partners as we continue to collaborate at the local, regional, and national levels to implement new solutions and share replicable strategies. These projects are grounded in stakeholder engagement, with a focus on Justice40 communities. DOE funding is creating new networks that will continue to spur innovation beyond the length of the grants themselves.