The BCAP/ICC

Energy Code Ambassador’s Project

Executive Summary
Training to Improve Compliance and Enforcement
Many states are taking steps to adopt the 2009 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2007 and are struggling to determine how
they will demonstrate 90% compliance with the model codes by 2017.
Energy code compliance and enforcement are known to be weak in all but a few states. Many states understand that
they will have to do better than “business as usual” to reach the required 90% compliance levels, but they aren’t
sure where to start, and resource constraints are creating significant challenges. In response to these concerns,
BCAP has been conducting national roundtables and leading the effort to identify and launch new approaches to en-
ergy code implementation, enforcement and compliance. BCAP has assembled stakeholders around the country at
roundtable discussions and collected information on new approaches and identified potential partnerships for
launching pilot projects to test those approaches (See roundtable summaries (here, here, and here) for more infor-
mation).
Our preliminary analysis of the national energy code adoption and implementation challenge indicates that there is a
critical need to increase the number of energy code specialists available and on-the-ground. BCAP recommends de-
veloping energy code “mentors” who are capable of supporting energy codes in their communities during policy
making and adoption, as well as for technical support and local training. These individuals would be a valuable asset
and provide a distinct advantage to states that have them in meeting the 90% compliance goal.
BCAP seized upon the concept of energy code mentors and contacted allies in the ICC Government Affairs group to
determine whether a partnership opportunity existed. Together, BCAP and ICC determined that a joint effort to train
and support “Energy Code Ambassadors” at the ICC Chapter level would be a natural opportunity to answer the
needs delineated in the BCAP Roundtables. This new approach—the Energy Code Ambassadors Program (ECAP)—
could be promoted as a regular program of the ICC and its many state and local chapters nationwide. The program
would incentivize, train and certify ICC member code officials to serve as local mentors.
For over a decade, we have known that energy codes are only weakly supported by the code enforcement commu-
nity. We also have learned that there are energy code “champions” at the community level - code officials who take
a special interest and professional pride in understanding and fully enforcing energy codes. The new ECAP program
will leverage these individuals, create opportunities for other code officials, and support enhanced levels of code en-
forcement and compliance in their states.
BCAP and ICC will pilot ECAP and recruit and train Ambassadors in 1-4 states in coordination with state code and en-
ergy offices and in partnership with local and state ICC chapters. Energy Code Ambassadors will provide energy code
expertise, in-field guidance and training to the code enforcement community. Further, the ambassadors will be
trained in using ICC, BCAP, US-DOE and other resources and act as grassroots code adoption and implementation
representatives in their states. New York, Kentucky, Illinois, Michigan and Idaho have shown initial interest in sup-
porting this pilot program. The pilot’s goal is to recruit and train Ambassadors by May 2010; in conjunction with or
advance of new energy codes adoptions.
Please see the ECAP Proposal Draft for greater detail on the pilot program guidelines, process, timeline and costs.
ICC has announced its proposal to local state chapters and the team has begun outreach to states for funding. It is
anticipated that the program will see its kickoff and first certified Ambassadors by the ICC meetings and Final Action
Hearings (Energy) in Charlotte, NC in October 2010.

BCAP
Dedicated to the adoption, implementation, and advancement of building energy codes
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 BCAP
The Energy Code Ambassadors Program (ECAP)
A Pilot Project of the International Code Council (ICC)
and the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP)

Introduction
States across the U.S. are adopting the national modes codes (2009 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2007) in response to the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act requirement that Governors provide assurances for code adoption and,
ultimately, demonstrate 90 percent compliance with those codes by 2017. Energy code compliance is known to be
weak in all but a few states, and many states know that they will have to do better than “business as usual” in order
to reach the specified compliance level. In response to this concern, BCAP has been conducting national roundta-
bles to identify and launch new approaches in energy code compliance.

One important barrier to improved code compliance is the (almost) standard lack of local and state infrastructure
and experience in enforcing energy codes. Using national and regional energy code experts as mentors to assist
states and local code officials in developing and implementing effective enforcement/ compliance approaches will
provide needed support and technical assistance. Further, ambassadors will provide advocacy support in their
states for code adoption and updates.

The ICC and BCAP propose to develop and pilot an energy code support program called the “Energy Code Ambassa-
dors Program” (ECAP).

ECAP will recruit, train, and position Ambassadors in 1- 4 states in coordination with state code and energy offices
and ICC chapters. The Ambassadors will provide support and energy code expertise including in-field guidance and/
or training to the code enforcement community. Further, Ambassadors will be adept in using ICC, BCAP, US-DOE
and other resources and will act as grass-roots code adoption and implementation representatives, as needed.

The states of New York (17 chapters of NYSBOC, the state’s ICC affiliate), Kentucky (4-6 chapters of CAAK, the state’s
ICC affiliate) Idaho (5 chapters under IDABO, the state’s ICC affiliate) and Illinois (11 Chapters) have shown initial in-
terest in participating in this pilot program. The ECAP goal will be to recruit, train and put in place the Ambassadors
by May 2010; in conjunction with or in advance of those states adopting new energy codes.

ECAP Pilot Project Tasks

1. Develop “Program Guidelines” — to describe eligibility for participation, recognition and benefits for partici-
pants, and obligations of participation. Outline specific grounds for removal from the program, use of the name and
title, and educational benefits. Describe with some particularity the method by which training and certification will
be delivered to participants. ICC with BCAP guidance
2. Outreach to Pilot States/Chapters — Publish and distribute announcement describing requirements for applica-
tion and obligations of participation. Ask each chapter to nominate a representative to serve in the ECAP program.
Self-nominations will be accepted with concurrence from the chapter. The ECAP applicant must be a current dues-

1850 M St. NW Suite 600 | Washington, DC 20036 | www.bcap-ocean.org BCAP

paying ICC member and submit a resume including codes experience and a statement of their interest in serving as
an Energy Code Ambassador. ICC
3. Secure Final Funding — Approach funders with mini-
proposal and finalize funding/sponsors.
a. Finalize mini-proposal, including proposed timelines,
and provide to potential funders
b. Finalize formal proposals (ICC and BCAP), as needed
c. ICC regional reps and BCAP
4. Administer Ambassador Selection Process
a. Set up email in-box to receive applications.
b. Evaluate applications and notify potential
“Ambassadors.”
c. ICC Karmol Regional Reps, DC Admin. (BCAP ECAP
Courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons, Credit—Steve Sheriw Team Assist)
5. Training Evaluation and Development — BCAP will evaluate existing IECC training curriculum to determine
whether additional modules or state-specific content is needed. BCAP will provide suggestions and/or new content
to be reviewed by the ICC Education department.
a. BCAP review and comment
b. ICC Training Division to augment
c. Adjust training after evaluation and feedback
6. Schedule Training — and publish list of Ambassadors, making names available on ICC website “Communities of
Interest,” with a link to OCEAN, BCAP’s new website.
a. ICC (with BCAP backup)
7. Outreach to States
a. Make names known to ICC Government Relations
representatives and BCAP state advocates as re-
sources for code adoption advocacy.
8. ECAP Evaluation
a. Follow-up with participating Ambassadors and sur-
vey them to determine program effectiveness,
challenges, positive outcomes, etc.
9. Modify ECAP
a. Adjust program guidelines, training, etc. as neces-
sary to reflect results of evaluation.
10. Full ECAP National Rollout
a. Expand to additional states, depending on funding
availability.
b. Determine final costs for implementation and need Courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons, Credit—Detlef Schobert

for additional funding.

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Energy Code Ambassadors Program (ECAP)
Program Guidelines v2
1. Eligibility for participation
Only active governmental, corporate, individual or honorary
members of the International Code Council (ICC) are eligible
to participate in the ECAP program. Members of local affili-
ate chapters of ICC must also join ICC to be eligible to partici-
pate in the ECAP program. Membership can be obtained
online at: http://www.iccsafe.org/Membership/Pages/
join.aspx

2. Recognition and benefits for participants Courtesy of DOE/NREL, Credit—AstroPower

ECAP participants shall be entitled to use the title “Energy Code Ambassador” or “ICC/BCAP Energy Code Ambassa-
dor” on their personal or corporate stationary or business card for as long as they are an active participant in the
program, hold a current ICC Energy Conservation Certification certificate in one of the categories as listed in the ICC
National Certification Exam Information Bulletin and are an active member of ICC. Upon the termination of partici-
pation, or membership, individuals shall cease using the title or titles described in this paragraph.

During the first year of participation, each ECAP participant shall be entitled to register for, and participate in, a
training program for ECAP participants in the state in which the participant resides, as designated by ICC, at ICC’s
expense. In addition, each participant shall be eligible to sign up for one of ICC’s three Energy Certification Exams,
as designated by ICC, at ICC’s expense. In the event that the participant does not pass the certification exam, the
participant may either retest at his/her own expense or terminate participation in the ECAP program. ICC will work
with the ECAP participant to assure that the training and certification exam fit with the participant’s background,
experience and previous training.

ICC and BCAP, as appropriate, shall recognize ECAP Ambassadors in

public and internal news publications and shall provide basic infor-
mation concerning participants in relevant news releases. ICC may
also recognize ECAP Ambassadors at the ICC Annual Meeting and
Conference, as appropriate.

At ICC’s discretion, an ECAP Ambassador may be asked to attend a

code hearing or meeting that is outside of normal commuting dis-
tance from the participant’s home and ICC may offer to reimburse
travel expenses of the participant - where such travel is approved
Courtesy of DOE/NREL, Credit—Pat Corkery in advance.

3. Obligations of participation
Participants will be expected to engage in the following activities during the course of their participation in ECAP:

Provide telephone and/or email support to peers in the building code enforcement community regarding energy
code compliance issues.

Provide peer-to-peer advice and consultation at ICC Chapter meetings and other events.

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 Appear as an expert at governmental hearings regarding the adoption of, or modification of, existing and/or new
building energy codes in or around the participant’s jurisdiction. The participant understands, and agrees, that as an
Energy Code Ambassador, the participant will be expected to support the adoption of the most recently published
IECC without amendment, deletions, or modifications.

Communicate with ICC national, field, and chapter staff and leadership, as appropriate, regarding adoption and
compliance issues, as they arise.

Respond in a timely fashion to email communication from ICC staff regarding energy code adoption and enforce-
ment issues.

4. Termination of participation in the program

A participant may terminate his or her participation at any time by providing ICC with at least thirty days’ advance
notice. ICC and/or BCAP may terminate the participation of any participant by providing the participant with at least
thirty days’ notice of the participant’s termination. If the termination is at the request of the participant, and if the
participant has not completed at least one year of participation, ICC may request repayment of the cost of training
and/or certification testing service provided to the participant, at ICC’s discretion.

5. Use of the “Energy Code Ambassa-

dor” name and ICC and BCAP names
and logos
Participants may identify themselves as “ICC/
BCAP Energy Ambassadors” during the period
of their active participation. They may utilize
the ICC and BCAP logos only in association with
the title of Energy Code Ambassador and shall
not otherwise identify themselves as repre-
senting, or otherwise speaking on behalf of,
either ICC or BCAP. Any media request should
be referred to appropriate individuals in the
Courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons, Credit—Dirk Hansen
national offices of ICC and/or BCAP, as appro-
priate.

Timeline
January: Public Announcement (website + letters to ICC Chapters)

February 26: Deadline for nominations due to ICC

March 5: Energy Code Ambassadors announced and notified, names sent to ICC and BCAP field staff

March/April: Training for Ambassadors scheduled

April: Ambassadors receive certificates/credentials/lapel pins

October: Certification tests administered at ICC annual meeting in Charlotte, NC

December: Review/evaluate pilot, plan expansion or full national roll-out

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ECAP Budget
Standard costs:
Training* $2,600/day
Books $200/person
Certification Exam $200/person
Curriculum Modification $7,000/state
Travel Variable

Example — New York

Training (2 training sessions needed) $5,200
Books (16 trainees) $3,200
Certification Exams (16 trainees) $3,200
Subtotal $11,600
Travel (est.) $10,000
Total for training & certification $21,600
BCAP Curriculum Modifications $7,000
Total cost $28,600

* Note: reimbursement consideration for mileage while Courtesy of DOE/NREL, Credit—Bill Timmerman
undertaking activities estimated at $1,000.00/person/
annum to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Estimated total costs per state, not including travel:

ID: $14,600
KY: $14,600
IL: $14,600

In KY, IL and ID, estimates assume 6 participating chapters (and Ambassadors): $5200 + 2400 + 7600.

ICC plans to fund administrative, tracking, communications, and other costs associated with the management of this
program, as an in-kind contribution to the ECAP program. BCAP will fund ongoing state-specific support via OCEAN
state resources, compliance, and online implementation blogs, as well as advocacy support for Energy Code Ambas-
sadors.

For more information on the ICC, please visit us at www.iccsafe.org

For more information on BCAP, please visit us at www.bcap-ocean.org

BCAP
Dedicated to the adoption, implementation, and advancement of building energy codes
1850 M St. NW Suite 600 | Washington, DC | www.bcap-ocean.org