PROPOSED HB-6572 CONNECTICUT BUILDING CODE GIVES MUNICIPALITIES MORE AUTHORITY ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY

The Connecticut General Assembly has proposed an act regarding the adoption of energy use building standards in the 2021 session year. Bill HB-6572 is requiring towns, cities, and boroughs to utilize these new or substantially renovated building  codes. The bill was first introduced on March 4th, 2021 by the Energy and Technology Committee through Representative Arconti of the 109th District, Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the House.

HB-6572 states that any town, city, or borough may require all buildings over 40,000 square feet that qualify as new construction or substantial renovation, to have an energy usage of at least ten percent per square foot less than the energy use allowed by the State Building Code. Municipalities who choose to establish this requirement will need to inform the State Building Inspector and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. The bill permits building owners to appeal a municipal building official’s decision to the municipal appeals board.

If the State Building Inspector and the Codes and Standards Committee agree in writing that a nationally accepted green building rating system either meets or exceeds the energy use requirement, all buildings constructed within accordance of the rating system satisfy the requirement.

On January 1st, 2024, the Commissioner of Administration Services along with the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, may further limit energy use to a maximum percent, not to go above ten percent, that will be deemed financially and economically effective.

This act revision will potentially go into effect on July 1st, 2021 and will amend and substitute the status of Section 1. Section 29-253.

A FULL COPY OF THE PROPOSED BILL SUBSTITUTION