March 20241

March 15, 2024 Illinois House Energy & Environment Committee 401 South Second Street, Room 114 Springfield, Illinois 62701 Re: MEEA’s comments on redefining the term “code” within the Energy Efficient Building Act Dear Chairwoman Williams and Members of the Energy & Environment Committee, Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on the proposed redefining of the term “code” within the Ene. [...] Redefining the term “code” within the Act to mean the 2021 IECC (or any one version of the IECC), and thereby abolishing the state’s automatic update of energy efficiency standards, would lead to less affordable homes for people to live in, an undertrained and inexperienced statewide workforce, and stalled progress towards Illinois’ sustainability and climate goals. [...] Department of Energy (DOE) is required by law2 to issue a determination as to whether the latest version of the IECC will improve energy efficiency compared to the previous edition of the corresponding standard or code. [...] The continued adoption of the latest published edition of the IECC presents a cost-effective way to reduce the energy consumption of homes in Illinois and save residents money. [...] MEEA Comments on Redefining “Code” as the 2021 IECC // March 2024 3 The continual adoption of the latest published edition of the IECC is a cost-effective way to gradually increase the level of efficiency of residential and commercial buildings over time.