BUILDING CODES
& ENERGY EFFICIENCY:
WEST VIRGINIA
B
uildings account for roughly 40 percent of the
total energy use in the United States and 70
percent of its electricity use, representing a
significant opportunity for energy savings. Energy ef-
ficiency – through the adoption and enforcement of
strong building energy codes – is the quickest, cheap-
est, and cleanest way to reduce energy consumption
and achieve a sustainable, prosperous future. For West
Virginia, the next step should be the adoption of the
latest U.S. model residential and commercial energy
codes – the 2009 International Energy Conservation
Code (IECC) and ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007.
In February 2009, the American Recovery and Rein-
vestment Act (Recovery Act) – federal legislation ap-
propriating funds for a variety of state economic initia-
tives – allocated $3.1 billion for the U.S. Department
of Energy (DOE) State Energy Program (SEP) to as-
sist states with building energy efficiency efforts. As a
condition of accepting $32.7 million1 in SEP funding,
Gov. Joe Manchin certified to DOE2 that the state
would implement energy standards of equal or greater
stringency than the latest national model codes and
achieve 90 percent compliance in new and renovated
residential and commercial building space by 2017.
West Virginia must now start laying the groundwork
to successfully implement the building energy code
plans submitted to DOE. It is in the state’s best eco-
nomic interest to adopt the 2009 IECC and Stan-
dard 90.1-2007 statewide and begin the construction
of a more efficient building sector.
Updated September 14, 2010
ECONOMIC BENEFITS
Consumers will save money well into the future by
reducing utility bills, minimizing the negative im-
pacts of fluctuations in energy supply and cost, and
conserving available energy resources. Retail and
office buildings constructed to meet the require-
ments of the IECC can be over 30 percent more
energy efficient than typical buildings not con-
structed to meet national model energy standards.
Monetary savings derived from codes increase a
consumer's purchasing power, and help expand
West Virginia’s economy by keeping local dollars
in the state.
BUILDING INDUSTRY BENEFITS
The national model code, the 2009 IECC, offers
flexibility to West Virginia builders and design pro-
fessionals, allowing them to optimize the cost-
effectiveness of energy efficient features in their
building products, and to satisfy the variety of con-
sumer preferences.
The 2009 IECC also simplifies guidelines for build-
ers, providing a uniform statewide code with multi-
ple options for compliance.
Uniformity throughout West Virginia will enable
local jurisdictions to pool limited resources and
combine personnel to form county-wide, regional,
and statewide enforcement and education programs.
UTILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
An energy code improves the energy efficiency per-
formance of all new buildings and reduces demand
on power generators, therefore improving the air
quality of local communities throughout the state.
Electricity use is one of the leading generators of air
pollution. Rising power demand increases emis-
sions of sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxides and carbon
dioxide. Energy codes have proven to be one of the
most cost-effective means for addressing these and
other environmental impacts.
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 A MODEL ENERGY CODE FOR WEST VIRGINIA
W
est Virginia current energy code3 is based
on the 2003 IECC. The State Fire Commis-
sion promulgated a rule4 in 2009 to adopt
the 2009 IECC (per legislative mandate5), but the Leg-
islature unexpectedly amended the rule to revert back
to the 2003 edition. This code, however, does not
achieve the energy savings of the latest national
model codes.
The 2009 IECC and Standard 90.1-2007 improve sub-
stantially upon the 2003 IECC and provide a simpler,
uniform path to benefit West Virginia households and
businesses through lower utility costs, increased com-
fort, and better economic opportunity.6
A limited DOE analysis of the changes from West Vir-
ginia’s current residential code to the 2009 IECC re-
sulted in estimated energy savings hundreds of dol-
lars per year for an average new house at recent fuel
prices.7 Another DOE analysis of the changes from the
state’s current commercial code to Standard 90.1-2007
estimates energy and cost savings of 3 to 6 percent.8
ENERGY SUPPLIES
West Virginia is the top coal-producing state east of
the Mississippi River, accounting for more than one-
tenth of U.S. total coal production and the state’s high
electricity production. Combined with relatively low
consumption in-state, West Virginia leads the nation in
net interstate electricity exports.9 Reducing local de-
mand for electricity and natural gas would free up
even more of the state’s energy resources for export,
decrease costs for consumers, and increase profits for
businesses.
HOUSEHOLD PROSPERITY
In 2008, West Virginia ranked 48th in the nation in per
capita personal income,10 yet ranked 14th in per capita
energy expenditures.11 Energy expenses comprise an
economic drain on low-income communities. Low-
income households typically spend 17 percent of
their total annual income on energy, compared with
four percent for other households.
** NOTES **
1 7
US DOE (http://www.energy.gov/westvirginia.htm)
2
US DOE (http://www.energy.gov/media/3154ManchinWestVirginia.pdf)
3 8
BCAP (http://bcap-ocean.org/state-country/west-virginia)
4
WV SFC (http://www.firemarshal.wv.gov/Documents/Meetings/
9
FC_Minutes_6-29-09_Emergency_Mtg.pdf)
5 10
BCAP (http://bcap-energy.org/node/373)
6 11
BCAP (http://bcap-energy.org/node/330)
The New River Gorge Bridge in Fayetteville, W.V.
(Credit – Craig Cunningham)
According to some estimates, more than four-fifths of
energy expenses leave low-income communities. High
energy costs deprive these communities of resources
needed to generate additional economic activity.
AN UNTAPPED RESOURCE
With energy prices projected to rise sharply over the
medium- and long-term, reducing West Virginia’s
energy demand will also enhance the state’s energy
security and stimulate its economy.
Energy codes also offer large-scale gains. BCAP esti-
mates that if West Virginia began implementing the
2009 IECC and Standard 90.1-2007 statewide in 2011
(making incremental steps toward 90 percent compli-
ance in 2017), it would realize substantial savings
over BCAP’s business-as-usual scenario:
By 2030, $90 million in annual energy cost savings for
households & businesses, or $793 million from 2011-
30.
By 2030, annual CO2 emissions reductions of 400,000
metric tons, or 4.9 million from 2011-30.
By 2030, residential sector source energy savings of 5
percent, representing annual savings of 4 trillion Btu.
By 2030, commercial sector source energy savings of
8 percent, representing annual savings of 4 trillion
Btu.
For more information, please visit www.bcap-ocean.org
US DOE (http://www.energycodes.gov/publications/techassist/residential/
Residential_West_Virginia.pdf)
US DOE (http://www.energycodes.gov/publications/techassist/commercial/
Commercial_West_Virginia.pdf)
US EIA (http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/states/sep_sum/html/pdf/rank_pr.pdf)
US BEA (http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/regional/spi/2009/pdf/spi0309.pdf)
US EIA (http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/states/sep_sum/html/pdf/rank_pr.pdf)
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www.bcap-ocean.org