Will reducing energy codes create more jobs?
Will reducing energy codes create more jobs?
This morning’s Google email alert regarding Albuquerque’s City Councils decision to scale back Albuquerque’s eco-friendly building standards really raised lots of questions for me.
While studying for my masters in sustainably one of the required courses was environmental law, while studying each state’s environmental and energy policies I was impressed by New Mexico’s aggressive regulations and initiatives, dating as far back as 1978 when they passed the Solar Energy Right Act. And now I’m wondering did they perhaps go too far too fast?
Supporters of rolling-back the eco-friendly building codes that were initially adopted in 2009 had concerns that within the current economic environment any mandatory increases in construction spending, such as energy efficient building requirements, would dampen many new construction projects because of the added cost to become code compliant. Opponents of the roll back included, homeowners, architects, environmental activist, and engineers thought the move was shortsighted. The merits of a stricter code were argued by argued by Councilor Isaac Benton said “it’s clear that higher energy-efficiency requirements benefit the consumer, though not right away.” “But that’s part of the problem in this country today: people wanting to buy something cheap up front, without any regard for the long-term costs.”
Is this eco-friendly code reversal the tip of the iceberg? Will other cities that have increased energy conservation into their building codes take similar measures?
Things to think about:
- The more energy efficient a state is the lower the cost of doing business in the state.
- How will relaxed energy building codes effect poor and moderate income households once energy prices spike up?
- Are states falling behind by failing to provide energy efficient alternatives?
- Will rolling back the building codes help the construction market?
Only time will tell how rolling back energy-efficient building codes will affect the local Albuquerque economy and create new job opportunities.
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