Committee Passes Bill Updating Energy Codes
Air Date:02/23/2011
By Jenifer Jones
The House Commerce and Education Committee passed a bill that updates certain provisions relating to building energy codes. Mike Mueller with the Bureau of Administration says the bill repeals laws passed in 1979 that have since been replaced by updated measures. It also updates certain codes to newer standards. One lawmaker was concerned the newer standards could mean higher costs for those in the building industry. But Deb Mortenson, who is a registered lobbyist for the Associated General Contractors of South Dakota says it will pay off in the future.
"That evens out when you take the long view and look at some of the energy efficiencies that are brought about by increasing r-factors and things like that too," Mortenson says. "And that is the long term goal for a lot of the commercial contractors out there, is to look the future and to build these structures so they are a lot more energy efficient. And that's where they see the savings, both the owners of the project and the people who are constructing them."
Senate Bill 94 passed committee with an 11-2 vote.
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