Notice of Public Hearing
The Construction Industries Commission will convene a public hearing for the repeal and replacement of 14.7.6 NMAC – 2018 New Mexico Residential Energy Conservation Code and 14.7.9 NMAC – 2018 New Mexico Commercial Energy Conservation Code. The hearing will be held before a hearing officer, at which time any interested person is invited to submit data, views, or arguments on the proposed changes, either orally or in writing, and to examine witnesses testifying at the hearing. The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, January 3, 2024.
The purpose of this public rule hearing is to receive public comments regarding the repeal the 2018 New Mexico Energy Conservation Codes and replaced with the 2021 Energy Conservation Codes. The Energy Conservation Codes establish minimum standards for energy conservation for residential and commercial construction in New Mexico.
The statutory authority for this rulemaking is found in the New Mexico Construction Industries Licensing Act, Subsections F and K of Section 60-13-9 and Section 60-13-44 NMSA 1978.
The hearing is scheduled as follows:
An in-person hearing shall be held on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at the Regulation and Licensing Department, 5500 San Antonio Drive NE, Albuquerque, NM, Sandia Conference room, starting at 9:30 a.m. The hearing will remain open until 10:00 a.m. or until participants have an opportunity to make public comments, whichever is longer.
Interested persons may obtain copies of the proposed rule changes by logging onto the Construction Industries Division website (www.rld.nm.gov/construction-industries) to download the proposed rules or by written request to the Albuquerque CID Office – Regulation and Licensing Department, 5500 San Antonio Drive NE, Suite F, Albuquerque, NM 87109, attention: Quindi Otero-Robertson.
You may send written comments to: Construction Industries Division, – Regulation and Licensing Department, 5500 San Antonio Drive NE, Suite F, Albuquerque, NM 87109, Attention: Public Comments. Written comments may also be faxed to (505) 765-5670 or submitted to Quindi Otero-Robertson at her email address: Quindi.Otero@rld.nm.gov.
All written comments must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. You may also review submitted comments by requesting copies from Quindi Otero-Robertson at her email address above. Public comments will be posted on the division’s website (www.rld.nm.gov/construction-industries). Written comments may also be received by the Commission at the in-person hearing until the hearing is closed. All public comments received shall be admitted into the record during the public hearing.
If you require special accommodation to attend the hearing, please notify CID by phone, email, or fax, of such needs as soon as possible to ensure adequate accommodation. Telephone: (505) 546-2195. Email: Quindi.Otero@rld.nm.gov; Fax No. (505) 765-5670.
Dear Construction Industries Division,
I am writing to express my strong support for New Mexico?s adoption of the 2021 Energy Conservation Codes for buildings along with EV-ready requirements.
In addition to keeping up with the latest code updates to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, I support the additional proposal to require all new buildings be EV-ready, making it easier for homeowners, residents of multifamily units and users of commercial parking lots to charge their electric vehicles.
The codes call for most new construction to include EV chargers at 5% of parking spaces, and another 5 to 15%, depending on the building type, must have the electrical infrastructure to accommodate future chargers.
Modern energy codes are critical for creating a safe climate and energy savings through weatherization and more efficient heating and cooling equipment. Considering the passage of Clean Cars and Trucks standards and the commercial shift to EVs announced by major automakers, these are common-sense, forward-thinking steps.
I care deeply about the climate crisis and my children?s future. Stronger energy codes reduce climate pollution and other air pollutants, improving our families? health, all while lowering utility bills, so I have more money to contribute to our local economy.
Sincerely,
Sarita Streng
1605 Kit Carson Ave SW
Albuquerque, NM 87104
saritastreng@yahoo.com
(505) 288-8713
As an electrical engineer and climate activist I am pleased to see the state of New Mexico making progress to reduce CO2 emissions. This progress must accelerate so we can avoid unthinkable climate catastrophes in coming decades. After eight years of owning EVs, I personally see no reason to drive a gasoline-fueled vehicle. I don’t miss stops at smelly gas stations or worrying that I forgot to change the oil. And it feels great that my driving has little impact on climate change.
For those of us who can charge at home, the cost of operating a plug-in vehicle has always been lower than operating gas-powered transportation. Now, with government rebates and lower retail pricing, the cost to buy a plug-in vehicle is on par with climate-damaging gas-powered vehicles.
Unfortunately, in New Mexico, we have an income equity issue. Many people cannot easily access a charger because their rental home has nowhere to plug in. As the cost of plugin vehicles continues to drop, renters will be stuck driving more costly, polluting vehicles because they have no place to plug in.
To provide equity in the cost of transportation, I urge the New Mexico Construction Industries Commission to adopt the 2021 Energy Conservation Codes which requires installing EV charging infrastructure during new construction. While this new code will not require a car charger, it would save thousands of dollars from the process of installing a charger because it avoids the retrofit costs of breaking and repairing walls, trenching, and adding electrical panel upgrades. Just as a new home is required to be ready for installing kitchen appliances, it should be ready to install a car charger as your “transportation appliance.”
The new codes also prioritize energy efficiency so homes will be cooler as the climate warms, waste less energy, and have lower energy bills. It will lower the energy burden of low-income renters and homeowners. Given the high cost of housing, we must do what we can to provide equity.
Glenn Wikle
Santa Fe, NM
Dear Construction Industries Division,
I am writing to express my strong support for New Mexico?s adoption of the 2021 Energy Conservation Codes for buildings along with EV-ready requirements.
In addition to keeping up with the latest code updates to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, I support the additional proposal to require all new buildings be EV-ready, making it easier for homeowners, residents of multifamily units and users of commercial parking lots to charge their electric vehicles.
The codes call for most new construction to include EV chargers at 5% of parking spaces, and another 5 to 15%, depending on the building type, must have the electrical infrastructure to accommodate future chargers.
Modern energy codes are critical for creating a safe climate and energy savings through weatherization and more efficient heating and cooling equipment. Considering the passage of Clean Cars and Trucks standards and the commercial shift to EVs announced by major automakers, these are common-sense, forward-thinking steps.
I care deeply about the climate crisis and my children?s future. Stronger energy codes reduce climate pollution and other air pollutants, improving our families? health, all while lowering utility bills, so I have more money to contribute to our local economy.
Sincerely,
Williams Vigil
16 Peaks View Ln
Espanola, NM 87532
gillette@cybermesa.com
(505) 614-7246
Benefits of EV Infrastructure in the Code – “I support EVs and the inclusion of EV infrastructure requirements in the energy code because…”
• Climate change is of major concern to me. According to the EPA, the majority of emissions from transportation come from passenger vehicles. EVs are the best way to reduce emissions from this sector because they produce zero tailpipe emissions, and supplying EV chargers in homes will encourage more people to drive EVs.
• Governor Grisham’s recent push to increase EV adoption across the state with the Advanced Clean Cars II rule means we will see increased EV sales here in the coming years. We must prepare for the growing demand for chargers, and requiring EV readiness in new construction will help meet that demand.
• Installing EV charging infrastructure during new construction can be thousands of dollars cheaper than installing in existing buildings because it avoids the retrofit costs of breaking and repairing walls, installing longer raceways, trenching, adding electrical service, and panel upgrades.
• Charging an EV is cheaper than filling up a gas-powered vehicle. The money I save on fuel costs can be spent on my family and the local economy.
• EVs have fewer moving parts than traditional vehicles, resulting in lower maintenance costs. As someone who is on a fixed income, this is very important to me.
• Since EVs don’t use gas, driving one reduces our country’s dependence on imported oil and promotes greater energy independence.
• EVs are quieter than traditional vehicles, leading to reduced noise pollution, especially in our cities. This creates a more peaceful and enjoyable living environment.
• Home charging stations provide the convenience of refueling my vehicle in my own garage/driveway, eliminating the need for trips to public charging stations, which could be many miles away.
Thank you.
Dear Construction Industries Division,
Everything we do to curb climate change is a smart investment. In my opinion, climate change is the biggest threat we’re dealing with right now, and I want a lot more to be done to slow it down. It’s terrifying and depressing to think about the damage that’s already baked into the system due to our inaction. Damage from unusually extreme weather events already costs us billions of dollars every year and it will get worse. It’s already forcing people to leave their own countries because they can’t grow enough food there anymore, and migrate to places that still have food, leading to all kinds of political upheaval. This is truly a slow-motion global disaster.
I am writing to express my strong support for New Mexico?s adoption of the 2021 Energy Conservation Codes for buildings along with EV-ready requirements.
In addition to keeping up with the latest code updates to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, I support the additional proposal to require all new buildings be EV-ready, making it easier for homeowners, residents of multifamily units and users of commercial parking lots to charge their electric vehicles.
The codes call for most new construction to include EV chargers at 5% of parking spaces, and another 5 to 15%, depending on the building type, must have the electrical infrastructure to accommodate future chargers.
Modern energy codes are critical for creating a safe climate and energy savings through weatherization and more efficient heating and cooling equipment. Considering the passage of Clean Cars and Trucks standards and the commercial shift to EVs announced by major automakers, these are common-sense, forward-thinking steps.
I care deeply about the climate crisis and my children?s future. Stronger energy codes reduce climate pollution and other air pollutants, improving our families? health, all while lowering utility bills, so I have more money to contribute to our local economy.
Sincerely,
Allison Gentile
13104 Chitalpa Pl NE
Albuquerque, NM 87111
forallie@earthlink.net
(505) 299-6501
I’m Stacie Slay from La Plata, Nm 87418
Dear Commissioners,
Please support of the adoption of the 2021 Energy Conservation Codes because:
• Energy efficiency lowers utility bills, which means I have more money to spend on keeping my family fed and healthy.
• They boost the local economy. Lower utility bills means I have more money to spend eating out and visiting local businesses, which directly benefits my community.
• They create jobs, particularly in the construction and technology sectors, which leads to greater prosperity for all.
• As a homeowner, the cost of maintaining my home is of great importance. Energy-efficient buildings tend to have better construction quality, which translates to less frequent repairs and maintenance, ultimately saving me money in the long run.
• As a renter, I have less control over how my housing is constructed, and newer codes ensure that my space is healthier, affordable, and more comfortable.
• As a retiree, I live on a fixed income. More energy-efficient buildings mean my utility bills are not only lower, but also more stable because they’re less susceptible to fluctuating utility prices.
• As our planet warms and weather becomes more extreme, newer energy codes will make buildings more resilient and protect me and my family from the impacts.
• I care deeply about climate change and my children’s future. Stronger energy codes reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants, which is better for the planet and for our health.
• Ensuring a resilient electrical grid is an issue I care deeply about. Energy efficiency lowers overall electricity demand, thus reducing the need to invest in new generation and transmission infrastructure.
• As a veteran, I care deeply about national security, and stronger energy codes reduce energy consumption, which helps lessen our dependence on foreign energy sources and lessens the impact of cybersecurity breaches on our grid.
• As someone who suffers from [insert ailment], indoor air quality is incredibly important to me. Better energy codes require better ventilation and filtration systems, which means cleaner, fresher air and improved health outcomes.
Thank you for your consideration.
Please find Tesla’s comments on the repeal and replacement of 14.7.6 NMAC – 2018 New Mexico Residential Energy Conservation Code and 14.7.9 NMAC – 2018 New Mexico Commercial Energy Conservation Code attached.
Will tomorrow’s hearing have a virtual option for participation and public comment?
Thank you,
Tessa Sanchez | Business Development and Public Policy
3500 Deer Creek Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94304
m. (415) 940-4493 | tesanchez@tesla.com
Tesla Comments on New Mexico State Energy Code
Dear Construction Industries Division,
I am writing to express my strong support for New Mexico?s adoption of the 2021 Energy Conservation Codes for buildings along with EV-ready requirements. Please adopt these codes pronto!
I also support the additional proposal to require all new buildings be EV-ready, making it easier for homeowners, residents of multifamily units and users of commercial parking lots to charge their electric vehicles.
The codes call for most new construction to include EV chargers at 5% of parking spaces, and another 5 to 15%, depending on the building type, must have the electrical infrastructure to accommodate future chargers.
Modern energy codes are critical for creating a safe climate and energy savings through weatherization and more efficient heating and cooling equipment. Considering the passage of Clean Cars and Trucks standards and the commercial shift to EVs announced by major automakers, these are common-sense, forward-thinking steps.
I care deeply about the climate crisis and preserving a higher quality of life for future generations. Stronger energy codes reduce climate pollution and other air pollutants, improving our families? health, while lowering utility bills. So please get moving on this!
Sincerely,
Margaret Hadderman
1017 N Santa Rita St
Silver City, NM 88061
haddermanm@gmail.com
(575) 534-9658
Dear Construction Industries Division,
I?m excited that New Mexico is a leader in the area of energy conservation upgrades. Thank you for your support.
I am writing to express my strong support for New Mexico?s adoption of the 2021 Energy Conservation Codes for buildings along with EV-ready requirements.
In addition to keeping up with the latest code updates to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, I support the additional proposal to require all new buildings be EV-ready, making it easier for homeowners, residents of multifamily units and users of commercial parking lots to charge their electric vehicles.
The codes call for most new construction to include EV chargers at 5% of parking spaces, and another 5 to 15%, depending on the building type, must have the electrical infrastructure to accommodate future chargers.
Modern energy codes are critical for creating a safe climate and energy savings through weatherization and more efficient heating and cooling equipment. Considering the passage of Clean Cars and Trucks standards and the commercial shift to EVs announced by major automakers, these are common-sense, forward-thinking steps.
I care deeply about the climate crisis and my children?s future. Stronger energy codes reduce climate pollution and other air pollutants, improving our families? health, all while lowering utility bills, so I have more money to contribute to our local economy.
Sincerely,
Susan Bouchonville
9512 Giddings Ave NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
s_bouchonville@yahoo.com
(505) 803-6737
Dear Construction Industries Commission,
My name is Hayley Hathaway and I am a resident of Albuquerque. I am writing to express my support for New Mexico’s adoption of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). I am a social worker and have seen the struggles faced by many people in our community: high energy costs, poor quality homes, worsening infrastructure, and lack of resources. These residents can really benefit from energy efficiency and the newer codes, which will lower utility bills, help support a stronger economy and a cleaner environment, and create jobs,
I also support electric vehicles and the inclusion of minimum EV charging infrastructure requirements for residential and commercial buildings in the code. I just bought a used hybrid vehicle and look forward to the day I can buy an EV. Air quality is a huge issue in Albuquerque, and more EVs will help us have a safer and healthier community.
In addition to being a social worker, I am a person of faith. I believe we have a moral and ethical responsibility to use our power to address climate change and the impact it is going to have on the most marginalized communities. The building code updates to include energy efficiency and clean transportation are critical in this work. Thank you for your consideration.
Dear Construction Industries Division,
Keep New Mexico clean and green!
I am writing to express my strong support for New Mexico?s adoption of the 2021 Energy Conservation Codes for buildings along with EV-ready requirements.
In addition to keeping up with the latest code updates to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, I support the additional proposal to require all new buildings be EV-ready, making it easier for homeowners, residents of multifamily units and users of commercial parking lots to charge their electric vehicles.
The codes call for most new construction to include EV chargers at 5% of parking spaces, and another 5 to 15%, depending on the building type, must have the electrical infrastructure to accommodate future chargers.
Modern energy codes are critical for creating a safe climate and energy savings through weatherization and more efficient heating and cooling equipment. Considering the passage of Clean Cars and Trucks standards and the commercial shift to EVs announced by major automakers, these are common-sense, forward-thinking steps.
I care deeply about the climate crisis and my children?s future. Stronger energy codes reduce climate pollution and other air pollutants, improving our families? health, all while lowering utility bills, so I have more money to contribute to our local economy.
Sincerely,
Diana Wells
4702 Pepe Ortiz Rd SE
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
schoolforoldladies@gmail.com
(505) 896-1884
Dear Construction Industries Division,
I am writing to express my strong support for New Mexico?s adoption of the 2021 Energy Conservation Codes for buildings along with EV-ready requirements.
In addition to keeping up with the latest code updates to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, I support the additional proposal to require all new buildings be EV-ready, making it easier for homeowners, residents of multifamily units and users of commercial parking lots to charge their electric vehicles.
The codes call for most new construction to include EV chargers at 5% of parking spaces, and another 5 to 15%, depending on the building type, must have the electrical infrastructure to accommodate future chargers.
Modern energy codes are critical for creating a safe climate and energy savings through weatherization and more efficient heating and cooling equipment. Considering the passage of Clean Cars and Trucks standards and the commercial shift to EVs announced by major automakers, these are common-sense, forward-thinking steps.
I care deeply about the climate crisis and my children?s future. Stronger energy codes reduce climate pollution and other air pollutants, improving our families? health, all while lowering utility bills, so I have more money to contribute to our local economy.
Sincerely,
Robert Fischoff
Po Box 9443
Santa Fe, NM 87504
robertfischoff@gmail.com
(505) 555-1234
Dear Construction Industries Division,
It is critical that we address energy issues now. This is a good start. New Mexico needs current, forward looking energy policy and regulations.
I am writing to express my strong support for New Mexico?s adoption of the 2021 Energy Conservation Codes for buildings along with EV-ready requirements.
In addition to keeping up with the latest code updates to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, I support the additional proposal to require all new buildings be EV-ready, making it easier for homeowners, residents of multifamily units and users of commercial parking lots to charge their electric vehicles.
The codes call for most new construction to include EV chargers at 5% of parking spaces, and another 5 to 15%, depending on the building type, must have the electrical infrastructure to accommodate future chargers.
Modern energy codes are critical for creating a safe climate and energy savings through weatherization and more efficient heating and cooling equipment. Considering the passage of Clean Cars and Trucks standards and the commercial shift to EVs announced by major automakers, these are common-sense, forward-thinking steps.
I care deeply about the climate crisis and my children?s future. Stronger energy codes reduce climate pollution and other air pollutants, improving our families? health, all while lowering utility bills, so I have more money to contribute to our local economy.
Sincerely,
Sierra Chapter
1800 Rosewood NW
Albuquerque, NM 87106
caroline.funk@sierraclub.org
(505) 243-7767
Dear Construction Industries Division,
I am a dedicated voter and reducing fossil fuel emissions to combat the climate crisis is a top priority for me. So these efforts to make buildings more energy efficient, along with improving our access to electric vehicles and charging stations gets my strong support!
I am writing to express my strong support for New Mexico?s adoption of the 2021 Energy Conservation Codes for buildings along with EV-ready requirements.
In addition to keeping up with the latest code updates to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, I support the additional proposal to require all new buildings be EV-ready, making it easier for homeowners, residents of multifamily units and users of commercial parking lots to charge their electric vehicles.
The codes call for most new construction to include EV chargers at 5% of parking spaces, and another 5 to 15%, depending on the building type, must have the electrical infrastructure to accommodate future chargers.
Modern energy codes are critical for creating a safe climate and energy savings through weatherization and more efficient heating and cooling equipment. Considering the passage of Clean Cars and Trucks standards and the commercial shift to EVs announced by major automakers, these are common-sense, forward-thinking steps.
I care deeply about the climate crisis and my children?s future. Stronger energy codes reduce climate pollution and other air pollutants, improving our families? health, all while lowering utility bills, so I have more money to contribute to our local economy.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Wald
PO Box 43
El Rito, NM 87530
bethjwald@gmail.com
(303) 519-3408
My name is Nancy Singham, a retired APS teacher living in Albuquerque. Since my retirement I have been working on climate change issues, and have observed that many of the changes we need to make to protect biodiversity, keep our planet’s living systems functioning while cooling the planet will actually ALSO, and not incidentally, improve the quality of our daily life! Adopting stronger energy efficiency codes is surely one shining example of this win/win benefit.
I live on a retiree’s fixed income, and have already reaped both the economic as well as life quality benefits of improving the roof insulation values in my 1955 home. Not only have I saved a lot money on my heating and cooling bills, and reduced my use of green house gas emissions, but my home is so much more comfortable than it was. Cooler in summer, warmer in winter, with large financial and ecological savings making for better quality of life! EVERYONE in our state should experience these benefits as ‘built in’ to our homes and lives. I urge you to adapt stronger energy codes.
Nancy Singham
421 Montclaire Dr NE
Albuquerque, 87108
nancywsingham@gmail.com
505.4922890
Dear Construction Industries Division,
I am writing to express my strong support for New Mexico?s adoption of the 2021 Energy Conservation Codes for buildings along with EV-ready requirements.
In addition to keeping up with the latest code updates to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, I support the additional proposal to require all new buildings be EV-ready, making it easier for homeowners, residents of multifamily units and users of commercial parking lots to charge their electric vehicles.
The codes call for most new construction to include EV chargers at 5% of parking spaces, and another 5 to 15%, depending on the building type, must have the electrical infrastructure to accommodate future chargers.
Modern energy codes are critical for creating a safe climate and energy savings through weatherization and more efficient heating and cooling equipment. Considering the passage of Clean Cars and Trucks standards and the commercial shift to EVs announced by major automakers, these are common-sense, forward-thinking steps.
I care deeply about the climate crisis and my children?s future. Stronger energy codes reduce climate pollution and other air pollutants, improving our families? health, all while lowering utility bills, so I have more money to contribute to our local economy.
Sincerely,
Robert Eager
1220 Setter Dr NE
Albuquerque, NM 87112
eagerr@comcast.net
(505) 299-6874
Dear Construction Industries Division,
I am writing to express my strong support for New Mexico?s adoption of the 2021 Energy Conservation Codes for buildings along with EV-ready requirements.
In addition to keeping up with the latest code updates to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, I support the additional proposal to require all new buildings be EV-ready, making it easier for homeowners, residents of multifamily units and users of commercial parking lots to charge their electric vehicles.
The codes call for most new construction to include EV chargers at 5% of parking spaces, and another 5 to 15%, depending on the building type, must have the electrical infrastructure to accommodate future chargers.
Modern energy codes are critical for creating a safe climate and energy savings through weatherization and more efficient heating and cooling equipment. Considering the passage of Clean Cars and Trucks standards and the commercial shift to EVs announced by major automakers, these are common-sense, forward-thinking steps.
I care deeply about the climate crisis and my children?s future. Stronger energy codes reduce climate pollution and other air pollutants, improving our families? health, all while lowering utility bills, so I have more money to contribute to our local economy.
Sincerely,
Debra Preusch
8 Hillside Rd
Pinos Altos, NM 88053
deb.preusch@gmail.com
(575) 313-0746
Dear Construction Industries Division,
I am writing to express my strong support for New Mexico?s adoption of the 2021 Energy Conservation Codes for buildings along with EV-ready requirements.
In addition to keeping up with the latest code updates to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, I support the additional proposal to require all new buildings be EV-ready, making it easier for homeowners, residents of multifamily units and users of commercial parking lots to charge their electric vehicles.
The codes call for most new construction to include EV chargers at 5% of parking spaces, and another 5 to 15%, depending on the building type, must have the electrical infrastructure to accommodate future chargers.
Modern energy codes are critical for creating a safe climate and energy savings through weatherization and more efficient heating and cooling equipment. Considering the passage of Clean Cars and Trucks standards and the commercial shift to EVs announced by major automakers, these are common-sense, forward-thinking steps.
I care deeply about the climate crisis and my children?s future. Stronger energy codes reduce climate pollution and other air pollutants, improving our families? health, all while lowering utility bills, so I have more money to contribute to our local economy.
Sincerely,
Pamela Fuhrmann
950 W Cordova RdUnit 311
Santa Fe, NM 87505
pam.fuhrmann@gmail.com
(812) 327-5804
Dear Construction Industries Division,
I am writing to express my strong support for New Mexico?s adoption of the 2021 Energy Conservation Codes for buildings along with EV-ready requirements.
In addition to keeping up with the latest code updates to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, I support the additional proposal to require all new buildings be EV-ready, making it easier for homeowners, residents of multifamily units and users of commercial parking lots to charge their electric vehicles.
The codes call for most new construction to include EV chargers at 5% of parking spaces, and another 5 to 15%, depending on the building type, must have the electrical infrastructure to accommodate future chargers.
Modern energy codes are critical for creating a safe climate and energy savings through weatherization and more efficient heating and cooling equipment. Considering the passage of Clean Cars and Trucks standards and the commercial shift to EVs announced by major automakers, these are common-sense, forward-thinking steps.
I care deeply about the climate crisis and my children?s future. Stronger energy codes reduce climate pollution and other air pollutants, improving our families? health, all while lowering utility bills, so I have more money to contribute to our local economy.
Sincerely,
Jean Stevens
PO Box 1212
Ranchos De Taos, NM 87557
jeanstevens@hotmail.com
(575) 751-3189
We all believe that New Mexicans should be able to live and work in structurally sound buildings that enclose healthy and comfortable indoor environments. Stories of, especially older and vulnerable, residents suffering through last summer’s heat waves because of poor insulation, lack of electrical capacity for air conditioners or simply not being able to afford their energy bill should deeply trouble every one of us.
The fact is that many New Mexico households carry large energy burdens, often due to living in leaky homes. Over half of New Mexico’s housing stock needs extensive weatherization and expensive electrical panel upgrades before residents can install heat pumps and other highly efficient electric appliances that will reduce their energy bills even more.
While the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) offers unprecedented opportunities to electrify, many residents will be concentrating their IRA funds on what forward-looking building codes could have achieved when their homes where originally built. It is far less expensive to install a heat pump or a conduit for a future solar array or EV charging system when a building is being constructed than it is to tear up walls and concrete to do retrofits later.
So how do we design building codes today with the foresight to protect New Mexicans who will be living in homes that will likely last for decades, if not into the next century? What conditions must we plan for? How can we make it easier for New Mexicans to integrate new energy-efficient technologies into their homes as they evolve and become more affordable?
In the next 50 years, New Mexico average temperatures will rise by 5° to 7° F, according to the 2022 Climate Change in New Mexico Over the Next 50 Years: Impacts on Water Resource report. Already last summer many evaporative coolers reached their limit for safely keeping people cool over long heat waves, so it is likely that demand for heat pumps or air conditioners will increase along with electricity usage. Water will become scarcer. Fires will worsen in frequency and severity, as well subsequent flooding in some areas. Insurance rates will continue to climb.
At the same time renewables and battery prices will continue to fall, as will the cost of heat pumps, heat pump water heaters and induction cooktops. Electric vehicles will become far more commonplace, and adopting codes that make charging accessible to all will allow low-income residents to enjoy fueling their EVs for the equivalent of less than $1/gallon at home. Incentives to defray the cost of installing chargers in residential, multi-family, and commercial buildings are widely available now from electricity providers and government sources.
Given these changes, adopting the 2021 International Energy Conservation Codes with the added EV requirements is an essential step. The codes + EV charging will help current and future residents adapt to the consequences of warming, save money on energy bills, live in cleaner indoor air and reduce climate emissions in line with the state’s climate goals.
Thank you,
Stefi Weisburd
Tijeras, NM
(505) 363-0990
Building Code Comment