NRECA is calling on House members to support Section 9031 in the House Energy Bill (H.R. 3221) encouraging states to establish building codes to meet energy-saving targets of 30 percent after 2010 and 50 percent after 2020.

Stronger building codes will save energy. Improved building energy codes can, by 2030, save 5 percent of our total national energy use, save consumers $50 billion a year, and achieve a greenhouse gas reduction equivalent to taking 70 million cars off the road.

Stronger building codes are achievable. Thousands of new homes today already meet the 50 percent savings goal, which is required to qualify for a federal tax credit.

Section 9031 leaves state and local governments in charge, but encourages and helps them to reduce the two-fifths of our nation’s energy use that occurs in buildings.