| Local Policy Description: | Local Housing and Building Code Changes
Conserving energy reduces greenhouse gas emissions, creates big savings on utility bills, improves home comfort, and increases worker productivity. Local governments, including the City of Charleston, can make energy conservation happen through their building codes—requiring basic measures such as improved insulation and efficient lighting and appliances. As seen in a case study of the City of Berkeley, California, it was demonstrated that energy savings can be achieved with off-the-shelf technologies and need not be confined to new buildings. In 1981, Berkeley passed its Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance (RECO) requiring energy efficiency upgrades in existing residences. The law includes a dollar cap on owners’ obligations, but these typically inexpensive upgrades often pay for themselves rapidly in the form of lower energy bills. RECO’s success led the City of Berkeley to extend its mandate to businesses, enacting its Commercial Energy Conservation Ordinance (CECO) in 1993. While new building requirements often face initial resistance, home- and business-owners also value the benefits that conservation measures create, such as improved real estate and lower utility bills.
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