Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Standards
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association requests the Government of Alberta to proceed with the implementation of new energy efficiency requirements for homes and other buildings in Alberta.
WHEREAS Alberta’s Climate Change Strategy sets out goals, principles, and actions to address the challenge of climate change; and
WHEREAS many Alberta Municipalities wish to take steps to increase energy efficiency and sustainability standards in keeping with principles of Alberta’s Climate Change Strategy.
Nov 23, 2011 – Municipal Affairs
The 2008 Alberta Climate Change Strategy identified “implementing energy efficiency standards in building codes for homes and commercial buildings” as an approach to reducing emissions. Once of the methods identified to achieve the reduction goal was to introduce new and updated energy efficiency requirements into the Alberta Building Code for all building types.
The provincial premiers also endorsed improving energy efficiency standards in Canada’s model national construction codes, at a Council for the Federation meeting in 2008. Currently, the National Research Council is working towards publication of updated model codes for houses and other buildings.
The model National Energy Code for Buildings will be published in November 2011, while changes to the National Building code for energy efficiency standards for houses is anticipated for 2012. The Government of Alberta’s (GoA’s) position, based on previous consultation input, is that we will consider adopting the updated model national codes when they are introduced.
A minimum energy efficiency standard for buildings and houses province-wide allows designers, builders, the energy industry, owners and municipalities a common benchmark to work from, certify and inspect. As with other safety codes and standards under the Safety Codes Act (SCA), a person may choose to exceed the minimum requirements, but cannot be forced by the GoA or the local authority to exceed the minimum requirements.
The Proposed model national energy codes will provide flexibility for the public and industry to allow for outcome-based solutions for energy efficiency in homes and buildings (performance requirements) as well as prescriptive requirements.
A province-wide standard is preferred as it promotes consistency and provides a level playing field for industry, municipalities and the public, and greater consistency for inspections and compliance.
A bylaw of municipality that purports to regulate a matter already regulated under the SCA would be considered inoperative and not enforceable.
AUMA Accepts this response.