BUILDING CODES

& ENERGY EFFICIENCY:

ALABAMA
Updated February 24, 2009
CONSUMER BENEFITS
Alabama consumers will save money well into the
future by reducing utility bills, minimizing the nega-
tive impacts of fluctuations in energy supply and
cost, and conserving available energy resources.
Retail and office buildings constructed to meet the
requirements of the IECC can be 30-40 percent
more energy efficient than typical buildings not
constructed to meet the energy code.

Monetary savings derived from codes increase con-

B
uildings account for almost 40 percent of the sumer purchasing power, ultimately helping to ex-
total energy use in the United States and 70 pand the Alabama economy.
percent of our electricity use, representing a
significant opportunity for energy savings. New con- BUILDING COMMUNITY BENEFITS
struction is the most cost-effective point in the life of a
building to establish minimum energy efficiency ele- The national model code, the 2009 IECC, offers
ments. Building energy codes serve as a logical start- flexibility to Alabama builders and design profes-
ing point for comprehensive modern policies to reduce sionals, allowing them to optimize the cost-
energy dependence and extend our natural resources. effectiveness of energy efficient features in their
For the state of Alabama, this first step should be the building products, and to satisfy the variety of con-
adoption of the U.S. model energy codes, the Interna- sumer preferences.
tional Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and
ASHRAE Standard 90.1. A uniform building energy code across the state’s
28 counties and more than 100 towns and cities pro-
In February 2009, the American Recovery and Rein- vides consistency for the construction sector and
vestment Act (ARRA) — the federal stimulus legisla- enables local jurisdictions to pool limited resources
tion appropriating funds for a variety of state initia- and combine personnel to form regional enforce-
tives — allocated $3.1 billion for the U.S. Department
ment and educational programs.
of Energy’s State Energy Program (SEP) to assist
states with building energy efficiency efforts. As one UTILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
of the requirements to receive these SEP grants, state
governors must certify to DOE that their state (or An energy code improves the energy performance
applicable units of local government that authorize of all new buildings and reduces demand on power
building codes) will implement energy codes of equal generators, therefore improving the air quality of
or greater stringency than the latest national model local communities throughout the state.
codes (currently, the 2009 edition of the IECC and
Standard 90.1-2007). Electricity use is one of the leading generators of air
Given this unprecedented opportunity to receive fed- pollution. Rising power demand increases emis-
eral aid for building energy efficiency, it is in the sions of sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxides and carbon
state’s best economic interest to adopt the 2009 dioxide. Energy codes have proven to be one of the
IECC and Standard 90.1-2007 statewide begin en- most cost-effective means to address air pollution
joying the benefits of an efficient building sector. and other environmental impacts.
1850 M St. NW Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
www.bcap-ocean.org
 A MODEL STATE ENERGY CODE FOR ALABAMA

A
labama has an outdated voluntary energy
code for all buildings other than state gov-
ernment facilities. Because the state code is
voluntary, only a handful of local jurisdictions have
adopted it.
WHY UPDATE THE ALABAMA ENERGY CODE?
When states regularly update and enforce their en-
ergy codes, residents enjoy the benefits of increased
comfort in their homes and savings in their utility
bills.
The Natural Bridge in Winston County, Alabama—the longest
With increased awareness of national energy secu- natural bridge east of the Rocky Mountains.
rity issues and projections of sharp energy cost in-
creases, state government can demonstrate leader- country due to high air-conditioning demand during
ship by meeting national standards. hot summer months and the widespread use of elec-
tricity for home heating during generally mild winter
The Alabama State Legislature has not addressed
months. This has a significant impact in terms of
energy codes for buildings (other than state facili-
household finances. During months of high home
ties) since 1995. We now have an opportunity to
energy use in other states, low income residents
take steps that will establish minimum energy per-
spend 25-30% of their monthly household income on
formance standards for new commercial and resi-
heating and cooling costs.
dential buildings and, in the process, provide strate-
gic options for better management of our energy AN UNTAPPED RESOURCE
supplies. Alabama has enjoyed rich reserves of natural gas,
ENERGY SUPPLIES the largest hydroelectric power infrastructures east of
the Rocky Mountains, and has nuclear facilities
Alabama produces large amounts of coal and also
from which it also draws power. The potential sup-
relies on coal imports from other states to meet
ply available through energy efficiency of buildings,
roughly half of its demand. Due to high demand
however, provides a significant untapped resource
from the industrial and residential sectors, Ala-
that can be made available through energy codes.
bama’s total electricity consumption is high when
Energy prices are projected to rise exponentially
compared to other states. Nevertheless, Alabama ul-
over the next decade. The state of Alabama can bring
timately produces more electricity than it uses and
down energy costs for its residents and businesses by
exports that surplus to neighboring states. The ques-
ensuring that buildings meet basic energy perform-
tion is: could we do better? If energy codes were
ance standards through their design and construction.
mandated, electricity demand would fall within the
In the process, Alabama can reduce electricity de-
State, providing excess supply for export.
mand within its borders and ultimately export larger
HOUSEHOLD PROSPERITY
quantities to other states in the region. Wise manage-
In 2007, Alabama ranked 43rd in per capita personal ment of Alabama’s energy resources indicates that
income, but was the 7th highest user of total energy the state should seize the low-hanging fruit that
per capita. Alabama’s per capita consumption of building energy codes offer.
residential electricity is one of the highest in the For more information visit www.bcap-energy.org
1850 M St. NW Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
www.bcap-ocean.org