The Commissioner of Labor and Industry has officially decided not to adopt a new residential energy code this code cycle. The news was shared Thursday, Dec. 10 at the Minnesota Construction Codes Advisory Council meeting.
Housing First Minnesota has led on this issue for the past several years, making the case that a new residential energy code would benefit certain product manufacturers and other special interest groups at the cost of new homebuyers. In August, Housing First Minnesota brought together local builders association, NARI, Builders Association of Minnesota and Minnesota Realtors who all advocated for keeping the current Minnesota Residential Energy Code in place.
Following a judicial recommendation to not open rulemaking on the residential energy code earlier this fall, Housing First Minnesota asked the Commission agree with the judge.
“We’re pleased to see the Commissioner agree with the judicial recommendation,” said Nick Erickson, director of research and regulatory affairs. “Builders, remodelers and building officials, the experts in new construction, said that a new residential energy code was not needed at this time.”
This decision keeps the current Minnesota Residential Energy Code, the most efficient code of any high-production state, in place until the next code cycle.
Further Reading
- Housing First Minnesota Argues Case of Affordability at Energy Code Hearing
- Energy Code Comment Period Closes; Housing First Minnesota Submits Rebuttal
- Judge Recommends No New Energy Code, Final Call With Commissioner
- Housing First Minnesota Seeks Final Word On Energy Code
