BUILDING CODES
& ENERGY EFFICIENCY:
OKLAHOMA
B
uildings account for roughly 40 percent of the
total energy use in the United States and 70
percent of our electricity use, representing a
significant opportunity for energy savings. Energy
efficiency—through the adoption and enforcement of
strong building energy codes—is the quickest, cheap-
est, and cleanest way to reduce energy consumption
and achieve a sustainable and prosperous future. For
the state of Oklahoma, the next step should be the
adoption of the U.S. model energy codes—the 2009
International Energy Conservation Code (2009
IECC) and ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007.
In February 2009, the American Recovery and Re-
investment Act (Recovery Act) – the federal stimu-
lus legislation appropriating funds for a variety of
state initiatives – allocated $3.1 billion for the U.S.
Department of Energy’s State Energy Program (SEP)
to assist states with building energy efficiency ef-
forts. As one of the requirements to receive this fund-
ing, Gov. Brad Henry certified to DOE1 that Okla-
homa would implement energy standards of equal or
greater stringency than the latest national model
codes—the 2009 edition of the IECC and Standard
90.1-2007.
As a condition of accepting $46.7 million2 in federal
SEP funding, Oklahoma must now begin the regula-
tory steps to successfully implement the building en-
ergy code plans submitted to DOE. It is in the state’s
best economic interest to adopt the 2009 IECC
and Standard 90.1-2007 statewide and begin enjoy-
ing the benefits of an efficient building sector.
Updated August 26, 2010
ECONOMIC BENEFITS
Consumers save money by reducing utility bills,
minimizing the negative impacts of fluctuations in
energy supply and cost, and by conserving available
energy resources. Retail and office buildings con-
structed to meet the requirements of the IECC can
be over 30 percent more energy efficient than
typical buildings not constructed to meet national
model energy standards.
Monetary savings derived from codes increase a
consumer's purchasing power, and help expand the
state’s economy by keeping local dollars in Okla-
homa.
BUILDING INDUSTRY BENEFITS
The national model code, the 2009 IECC, offers
flexibility to Oklahoma builders and design profes-
sionals, allowing them to optimize the cost-
effectiveness of energy efficient features in their
building products, and to satisfy a variety of con-
sumer preferences.
The 2009 IECC also simplifies guidelines for build-
ers, providing a uniform code across the state with
multiple options for compliance.
Uniformity throughout Oklahoma will enable local
jurisdictions to pool limited resources and combine
personnel to form county-wide, regional, and state-
wide enforcement and educational programs.
UTILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
Energy codes improve the energy efficiency per-
formance of new buildings and reduce demand on
power generators, therefore improving the air qual-
ity of local communities throughout Oklahoma.
Electricity use is a leading generator of air pollution.
Rising power demand increases emissions of sul-
fur dioxide, nitrous oxides and carbon dioxide. En-
ergy codes are a proven, cost-effective means for
addressing these and other environmental impacts.
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Washington, DC 20036
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 A MODEL STATE ENERGY CODE FOR OKLAHOMA

O
klahoma leaves the authority3 to adopt building
energy codes for residential and commercial
construction (not funded by the state) to the gov-
ernments of local jurisdictions. The state has established
the 2003 IECC as the code for jurisdictions that do not
adopt any code. The state code, however, does not
achieve the energy savings of the 2009 IECC. In June
2009, Gov. Henry signed a bill4 creating the Oklahoma
Uniform Building Code Commission, which would be
charged with updating the state minimum energy code.
The new law does not direct the Commission to adopt
specific codes.
The 2009 IECC5 improves substantially upon the state’s
codes and will make it simple to provide Oklahoma
A river cutting through a canyon in the Wichita Mountains in
households and businesses lower utility costs, increased
southwestern Oklahoma.(Credit—Creative Commons)
comfort, and better economic opportunity. A limited
DOE analysis6 of the changes from the state's current nomic drain on low-income communities. Low-income
residential code to the 2009 IECC resulted in estimated households typically spend 17 percent of their total
energy savings of 14 to 15 percent, or about $270 a annual income on energy, compared with four percent
year for an average new house at recent fuel prices. An- for other households. According to some estimates, more
other DOE analysis7 of the changes from the state's cur- than four-fifths of energy expenses leave low-income
rent commercial code estimates energy savings of 10-11 communities. Higher energy costs deprive these commu-
percent from Standard 90.1-2007. nities of resources needed to generate additional eco-
When states regularly update and enforce their energy nomic activity.
codes in coordination with the three-year model code
update cycles, they ensure the consistency and continued AN UNTAPPED RESOURCE
enhancement of the benefits of model building practice. Energy prices are projected to rise sharply over the next
By maintaining this commitment, Oklahoma can dem- decade. By using energy codes to increase the signifi-
onstrate leadership on energy efficiency issues by cant potential energy supply improved building energy
meeting national standards. efficiency produces, Oklahoma can enhance its energy
security by reducing energy demand within its borders.
ENERGY SUPPLIES
Wise management of statewide energy policy should
While Oklahoma has significant oil and natural gas re- include seizing the low-hanging fruit that is the energy
serves, it still relies on coal transported primarily from savings improved building energy codes offer. Among
Wyoming for almost half of its electricity generation the opportunities:
(natural gas captured within the state accounts for almost
If Oklahoma began implementing the 2009 IECC and
all of the rest).8 Reducing local electricity and natural gas
Standard 90.1-2007 statewide in 2011, businesses and
demand would free up more of the state’s energy re-
homeowners would save an estimated $54 million
sources for export to other states, decrease costs for
annually by 2020 and $110 million annually by 2030
state consumers, and increase profits for businesses.
in energy costs (assuming 2006 energy prices).
HOUSEHOLD PROSPERITY Additionally, implementing the latest model codes
9
In 2006, Oklahoma ranked 37th in the nation in per would help avoid roughly 17 trillion Btu of primary
capita personal income, yet ranked 8th10 in per capita annual energy use by 2030 and annual emissions of
energy expenditures. Energy expenses comprise an eco- roughly 1.2 million metric tons of CO2 by 2030.
** NOTES ** For more information, please visit www.bcap-ocean.org
1
US DOE (http://www.energy.gov/media/HenryOklahoma.pdf) Residential_Oklahoma.pdf)
2 7
US DOE (http://www.energy.gov/oklahoma.htm) US EIA (http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/states/sep_sum/html/pdf/rank_use_gdp.pdf)
3 8
BCAP (http://bcap-energy.org/node/89) US EIA (http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=OK)
4 9
BCAP (http://bcap-energy.org/node/431) US BEA (http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/regional/spi/2007/spi0307.htm)
5 10
BCAP (http://bcap-energy.org/node/330) US EIA (http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/states/sep_sum/html/pdf/rank_pr.pdf)
6
US DOE (http://www.energycodes.gov/implement/state_codes/reports/residential/
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