Arkansas Energy Office Proposes 90.1-2007 Commercial Code Update
The Arkansas Energy Office (AEO) has proposed updating the state’s commercial energy code. The proposed amendments would rename the 2004 Arkansas Energy Code as the Arkansas Energy Code for New Building Construction and update its commercial provisions to reference ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007 and Chapter 5 of the 2009 IECC (the current edition is based on the 2003 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2001). AEO has also partnered with the state chapter of the USGBC to provide four training sessions on the new commercial code in 2012 ahead of the target implementation date of January 2013.
Arkansas has already begun taking several actions to improve the state’s energy code policies similar to recommendations developed by BCAP in the state’s Gap Analysis Report. In March 2011, the state legislature created a regulatory update process by authorizing AEO to promulgate rules to update the state’s energy codes. As directed by the state legislature, AEO began implementing the Rules for Sustainable Energy-Efficient Public Buildings on January 1, 2011. The rules are based on ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007 with strengthening amendments that achieve energy savings 10% beyond the base code.
More Information: AEO | Proposed Amendment Text | 2004 AR Energy Code | BCAP CPA Report | Rules for Sustainable Energy-Efficient Public Buildings
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