July 2, 2026
Hi, it’s your favorite Codes & Policy Manger here, Patrick (hopefully your only Codes & Policy Manager). As we celebrate the 250 anniversary of the United States of America there is no better time to remember that every day, we must endeavor to preserve our liberties and freedoms. Like the freedom to choose what type of energy you want to use to heat your home, and the freedom for builders to build cost effective, affordable, market rate housing. Unfortunately, the State Building Code Council is looking to adopt a new energy code that continues to penalize and discourage natural gas, force future electrification upgrades, and have new provisions with a payback period of up to 44 years (and that’s the SBCC’s math)!
So, for the month of July the Hammer & Nail is going to be energy code focused. I promise we won’t get too nerdy talking about BTUs, credit tables, and whatnot. But it’s important that the industry gets involved to let the SBCC and their legislators know how they can support affordable housing and to respect the voter’s will and restore energy choice in the codes.
Be on the lookout. Throughout the month we are going to empower you with information and give you tools so you can get involved with the touch of a button. Here’s the roadmap. Next week we are going to have you contact your legislators and ask them to tell the SBCC to adopt codes that respect energy choice and don’t make housing more unaffordable. Then later this month we will give you directions on how to submit public comments directly to the SBCC based on analysis and talking points from BIAW.
In the meantime, if you need a little bedtime reading (it’s very good at making you sleepy) here are the proposed changes and accompanying documents from the SBCC. If there are provisions you are worried about please contact me, hopefully I already have them on my naughty list but if not we will add them.
Residential Energy Code
Commercial Energy Code
Until next week!
