4/10/2015
Report to VBCOA Board of Directors on DOE Energy Conference
Thanks to the combined support from VBCOA, the Department of Energy and the City of Norfolk I had the opportunity and privilege to attend the DOE Energy Conference in Nashville, TN, March 23 – 26th. The conference took place at the Airport Marriott Nashville. Due to funding constrains this was the first DOE conference that’s been held in the past couple of years so (no pun intended) the energy level was high amongst attendees.
Bruce Cornwall and Richard Potts were in attendance as well and Bruce and I also attended the optional Pre-conference on Monday which dealt with 2012 Energy Code Changes specifically. On this day I also had the opportunity to talk with Pam Cole of Pacific Northwest National Laboratories (PNNL) concerning Rescheck and Virginia. As you all likely know by now, due to amendments made to the code Rescheck will not be applicable for the 2012 Code in Virginia. Pam did offer to help by possibly providing a checklist that was developed by PNNL that may help Building Code Officials and Plan Reviewers in Virginia. Richard Potts also talked with her and likely has information as well.
The networking opportunities were invaluable throughout the conference which included communication opportunities with code professionals and staff from other jurisdictions and states, manufacturer’s representatives, DOE and PNNL staff, consultants, marketing, design and engineering professionals and contractors.
The Keynote speakers were Suzanne Shelton and Steve Easley with Suzanne opening the conference plenary session. Suzanne is the CEO of a Marketing and Communications firm. She gave an extremely informative speech concerning trends in energy conservation with respect to public perception and support for energy conservation. My take on the information she provided indicates a serious downturn in public motivation towards energy conservation which led to Suzanne recommending specific courses of action to re-invigorate the public and stakeholders with respect to energy conservation and construction. These themes included possible penalties for non-compliance, possible requirements for energy certification grades on properties such as an Energy Rating Index (ERI), disclosure requirements for real estate agents, etc. Steve Easley who is a Forensic Science Specialist and Consultant dealing with building failures spoke at the closing plenary session. Steve has traveled the country dealing with building failures due to excessive moisture issues and improper construction due to not following codes, specifically the Energy Codes.
The conference general sessions followed two tracts with one focusing primarily on policy, support, compliance and forums and the other a technical tract which dealt with the codes specifically.
Bruce, Richard and I used the divide and conquer approach in an attempt to hit all the sessions which we felt were applicable to Virginia.
There was also a “Jolt Session” on Wednesday in which stakeholders could sign up to speak for 2 minutes on any issue relating to Energy. I was pleasantly surprised to hear a couple speakers one of which was not a code professional speaking out about concerns related to code enforcement professionals being understaffed, underpaid and over-worked. The general consensus is that we now have the codes but the enforcement is lacking because code professionals around the nation are over-taxed. The lull in general public concern for energy conservation is another major issue facing our nation and merits new methods to encourage stakeholders and the public to consider energy conservation and proper construction with respect to energy codes.
I have included a copy of the agenda outlining the sessions and a checked list of the sessions I attended.
If you have any questions concerning Energy Codes or this conference please feel free to contact me.
P.S. If you ever have the opportunity to visit Downtown Nashville; I recommend Jack’s BBQ and the singer Holland Marie!
Sincerely,
Rick Fortner