Uncertainties About the Effectiveness of Federal Programs To Make New Buildings More Energy Efficient

An evaluation is reported of the states' progress in developing and implementing thermal efficiency standards for new buildings as part of the State Energy Conservation Program. Issues are discussed which may impede the timely and effective implementation of building energy performance standards currently being developed by the Department of Energy (DOE). The State Energy Conservation program provides for each state to establish a number of conservation programs, including building standards stressing thermal efficiency, to achieve state conservation goals. The Energy Performance Standards for New Buildings Program will govern the design and construction of new commercial and residential buildings to achieve the maximum number of practical improvements in energy efficiency and to increase the use of nondepletable energy in new buildings.