New Funding Opportunity Supports Energy Code Implementation: Here’s What You Need to Know

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently released a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) which will support state, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT) governments in sustained cost-effective implementation of updated energy codes.

The Resilient Energy Codes Implementation (RECI) federal funding is expected to make about $45,000,000 available for new awards in the coming year. This funding is anticipated to equate to 10-30 awards, with each individual award varying between $500,000 and $10,000,000.

Applicants must submit a concept paper by 5:00 pm ET on January 31, 2023, to be eligible to submit a complete application due by 5:00 pm ET on March 27, 2023.

Why Take Advantage of the RECI Funding Opportunity

RECI funding presents a unique opportunity for under-resourced building departments to update and improve the implementation of energy codes, which reduce greenhouse gas emissions, curb energy bills, and maintain building temperatures, keeping occupants safe during prolonged power outages.

What’s Eligible for RECI Funding?

The DOE will prioritize the implementation of current energy codes, like the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), but will also support significant updates to older editions and stretch codes, like the IECC net zero appendices and the International Green Construction Code (IgCC). Eligible activities include state and local code adoption, workforce development, implementation and compliance, innovative approaches, partnerships, as well as equity, water, and environmental justice-related initiatives.

More details on potential activities are available on the International Code Council’s RECI factsheet.

How to Apply for RECI Funding

Applications for funding must include a state agency and partnerships are encouraged. Partnerships can include state/local code departments, code developers (like the Code Council), and code practitioners (like builders and architects). The state agency participant is not required to be the prime applicant. Again, a concept paper is due by 5:00 pm ET on January 31, 2023, with complete applications due by 5:00 pm ET on March 27, 2023. 

You can review the application requirements and apply through DOE’s EERE-Exchange.

The International Code Council is Here to Help

The Code Council co-leads a Strategic Energy Code Implementation Team (SECIT), which ICC established to partner with RECI applicants by providing wrap-around energy code services. The team can also assist jurisdictions in developing applications and identifying potential partners for RECI grants.  

As the principal organization representing SLTT officials that adopt and implement energy codes, the Code Council is prepared to collaborate with communities to develop proposals that incorporate traditional implementation resources or develop innovative approaches. The Code Council is currently working with a coalition of Southwest jurisdictions to develop and implement model stretch energy codes, a coalition focused on the creation of a new, national training publication for code enforcement, and a state on custom training based on its updated energy code.  

To join any of these efforts, or to learn more about RECI funding in general, visit iccsafe.org/federalgrants or contact Stella Carr, the Code Council’s Energy and Resilience Project Manager, for assistance.