Climate groups are expressing concern over proposed changes to Maryland's building code for new large commercial sites, arguing that the amendments could weaken the national energy code. The state's Department of Labor has crafted the proposal, which allows builders too much flexibility to select and potentially double-count measures that reduce a building's overall energy use. This has sparked alarm among environmental groups and at least one legislator, Del. Lorig Charkoudian, who believes the changes could violate state law. The proposed code changes have opened a public comment period until July 27, with the Department of Labor noting its appreciation for the submitted comments and promising to review them before making any final determinations. The 2024 version of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) requires new large buildings to generate a certain amount of renewable energy on-site, but Maryland has deleted this requirement, allowing builders to double-count certain energy efficiency measures. This has raised concerns about higher energy bills and increased strain on the electricity grid, potentially causing an increased cost to the entire customer base. Climate advocates are particularly upset due to recent cuts to the EmPOWER Maryland energy efficiency program, which provides free and reduced-price upgrades to homeowners and building owners. These cuts are estimated to reduce the program's size by about a third, and advocates fear that fewer investments in energy efficiency will lead to higher energy use and costly infrastructure upgrades in the future. The debate over the proposed building code changes highlights the ongoing tension between energy efficiency, cost, and climate action, with some arguing for more flexibility in construction and others advocating for stricter standards to protect the environment and public health.
