In this edition of the Regulatory Affairs Update:
- Board of Electricity prepares for Electrical Code updates.
- MPCA preparing a new Construction Stormwater Permit.
2023 Construction Stormwater Permit
Work is underway on the 2023 Minnesota Construction Stormwater Permit. MPCA staff are meeting with stakeholders and reviewing how to best work federal requirements into the 2023 Minnesota Construction Stormwater Permit. Items that may be changed include tribal input individual permits, dewatering changes, stabilization timeframe on larger projects and changes to stockpiles.
Members and Housing First Minnesota staff will be meeting with the MPCA shortly to provide input on the direction of the 2023 Construction Stormwater Permit.
The 2023 Construction Stormwater Permit will likely go into effect on Aug. 1, 2023.
2023 National Electrical Code
At the July 12 meeting of the Minnesota Board of Electricity, the Board announced it intends to begin the review of the 2023 National Electric Code (NEC) shortly after the model code is available. The National Fire Protection Association, which publishes the NEC, is in the final stages of review of the 2023 NEC.
In advance of any technical review, Housing First Minnesota sent the Board of Electricity a letter outlining what your builder’s association would like to see in the process. In the letter, Housing first Minnesota requested the Board of Electricity hold in-person technical review meetings, appoint residential construction stakeholders (as DLI has done with its code reviews), perform an in-depth cost analysis, honor the state’s 270-day waiting period on the new code and that the Board accepts amendments to the National Electric Code.
The Board of Electricity announced its technical review will be done in person and it will be responding to Housing First Minnesota’s letter in the coming weeks.
“Minnesota’s housing crisis continues to worsen, and the status quo process of decades past cannot continue. Regulatory bodies must adapt to address these challenges head-on or see the State Legislature step in and adjust the process so that it works for all parties,” said Housing First Minnesota in its letter to the Board of Electricity.
Members with questions on these topics contact Nick Erickson at nick@housingfirstmn.org.
