Mayor Tim Keller Moves City Toward Higher Energy Efficiency Standards

August 20, 2018

Today, Mayor Tim Keller announced a new executive instruction that will move the city toward higher energy efficiency standards. Under the directive, new city buildings will be subject to a more recent energy conservation code that is estimated to save between 20 and 25 percent in energy costs, resulting in significant savings for taxpayers and a reduction in carbon emissions.

The City currently uses the 2009 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code which is significantly behind national standards. Mayor Keller has directed the City to utilize the 2015 International Conservation Code (IECC) for city facility projects, with the goal of eventually moving to the 2018 IECC. The adoption of the higher standards will enhance minimum energy efficiency standards for publically owned facilities. Raising the standards for all commercial and residential properties requires action by the City Council.

“Addressing climate change at the local level is a priority for future generations,” stated Mayor Keller. “Government buildings are some of the largest energy users so using higher energy efficiency standards can make a big difference to reduce both carbon emissions and the bill for taxpayers.”

The International Energy Conservation Code is a building code guide that provides minimum design and construction requirements for energy efficiency created by the International Code Council, a council of code officials who develop model codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures.

“I fully support Mayor Keller taking this step towards ultimately updating the city’s Energy Conservation Code to the 2018 version. These updated codes will benefit Albuquerque’s people and businesses by reducing air pollution, lowering energy bills, and improving comfort inside homes and workplaces. I’d like to thank Mayor Keller and the City Council for their leadership on this issue, and look forward to Albuquerque joining other major cities in the region that have adopted the 2018 codes,” said Tammy Fiebelkorn, New Mexico Representative for Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP).

This initiative is part of Mayor Tim Keller’s efforts to make the City more sustainable while protecting taxpayer dollars.

You can see the executive instruction here.