Austin, TX, One of the Ten Places to Watch for Building Codes Adoption and Implementation

The Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP) is tracking code improvements in several cities through its Ten Places to Watch in 2010 Campaign. Among them is public power city Austin, Texas for its above-and-beyond adoption and implementation of 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

Austin, Texas, is one of the fastest growing cities in America – and with good reason. The city offers something for everyone: the political fervor of a state capital, the laidback vibe of a college town and the rapid pace of a booming business center.

Although well-known as a progressive enclave in a staunchly conservative state, the city and its metro area strike a delicate political balance. The city's rapid growth - and that of its surrounding subuarbs - has raised the profile of environmental issues within local government and , accordingto some citizens, threatened the city's core values. Nevertheless, Austin's record of environmentalism and energy efficiency has earned it a spot on the short list of the country's greenest cities.

Austin Energy, the city's community-owned electric utility, is one of the driving forces behind the city's efforts. Taking into account Austin Energy's recommendations as well as others from a number of appropriate city boards and commissions, the city council in 2007 adopted the 2006 IECC with a number of strengthening amendments, including those concerning ventilation, lighting, reflective roofing and vapor issues.

The most significant improvement was establishing a mandatory testing requirement for residential construction. Today, utility staff work with the building department to provide onsite inspections of homes prior to granting occupancy permits.

Not yet satisfied with the current rate of progress, the city has aggressively raised the ceiling for energy efficiency and renewables. Austin Energy runs one of the nation's most successful green building programs for both residential and commercial construction. In 2007, the city council passed a resolution to establish zero-net-energy single-family homes by 2015; it plans to accomplish this goal through specific incremental improvements in the code, coupled with design features that allow on-site energy generation.

For more information on these cities and others in the Ten Places to Watch in 2010 campaign, visit BCAP's website, OCEAN.