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Ask House Speaker Filler-Corn to Support Automatic Building Code Updates!
Key House of Delegate members are saying that legislating building codes is wrong. But that argument may be why Virginia’s building codes are ten years out of date. Just across the Potomac, when the International Code Council issues updated building codes, Maryland adopts them automatically within 12 months.
Today, please take just a few minutes to email Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn and ask her to support HB 2227. This legislation is currently languishing in the Subcommittee on Housing and Consumer Protection of the House General Laws Committee. It is a top FACS priority! It would automatically update Virginia’s Uniform Statewide Building Code to meet new international standards. Buildings account for 41% of Virginia’s energy use—and inefficient buildings lock in energy waste, greenhouse gas pollution and high energy bills.
Filler-Corn needs to hear from ALL Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions supporters loud and clear that our decade-old residential and commercial building codes to be automatically updated within 12 months of new international standards—just like Maryland.
If you are a constituent, say so in your first line. If not, tell her that you live in Fairfax County, mention your involvement with FACS, your congregation or faith community, and that addressing accelerating climate disruption is a moral imperative.
Background
The way Virginia currently develops its standards is to rely on workgroups which the homebuilder’s association dominates. The process gives the homebuilders a veto on any improvements to the building codes—a veto that’s effectively left Virginia’s codes at the 2009 levels. The 2021 International Energy Efficiency Codes require homes to be built almost 50% more energy efficient than Virginia’s standard.
The legislation that FACS supports copies a 2009 Maryland law. Virginia’s building code must be revised to set a floor for strong energy efficiency requirements for residential construction and for renovations. Without legislation, Virginia’s building codes will remain years behind recognized energy conservation codes.
As a result of Virginia’s lagging energy efficiency standards, homeowners and tenants pay higher utility costs every year for decades. Those lost savings far exceed the avoided construction costs. The higher energy costs particularly burden low-income residents. Since new homes will last 70+ years and many retrofits are practically infeasible, the private and public harms from poor initial construction will extend into the 22nd century.
When the International Code Council issues updated building codes, Maryland adopts them automatically within 12 months. Ask Virginia House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn to support HB 2227, which would automatically update Virginia’s Uniform Statewide Building Code to meet new international standards. Buildings account for 41% of Virginia’s energy use—and inefficient buildings lock in energy waste, greenhouse gas pollution and high energy bills.
Filler-Corn needs to hear from ALL Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions supporters loud and clear that our decade-old residential and commercial building codes to be automatically updated within 12 months of new international standards—just like Maryland.
This year you can also use the House of Delegates SPEAK Website to provide written testimony for bills in the House. Simply click “Bills in Committee” on the upper mid left side of the screen and then you are able to pick what committee is hearing the bill that you would like to provide a written comment for. After you click the committee, you can select the bill you would like and click “Next”. This will lead you to a form, on which you can submit your comments.
Let us know you've left written comments by sending a quick email with your submitted comments to info@faithforclimate.org
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