Washington’s governor requested a nine month delay in implementing the state’s new energy efficiency guidelines, according to an AP report. Gov. Chris Gregoire cited concerns about the recovering construction sector in her request. The new regulations were set to take effect at the end of the month.
The State Building Code Council agreed to a three month delay while it seeks public comment on whether a longer delay is necessary, according to the report. The regulations would require home builders to choose from a variety of options to make their homes more energy efficient, including installing less energy-intensive boilers, energy efficient windows and improved insulation.
The Building Industry Association of Washington had sued the state to prevent the regulations from taking effect, saying they would add up to $15,000 in construction costs per home.
Recently, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Home Builders and the National Association of Manufacturers, has lobbied to change the standard to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Star measurement to rate windows and skylights.
Meanwhile, KB Home recently met its 2009 goal to have all of its homes built in newly opened communities Energy Star qualified, according to the company’s 2009 Sustainability Report (PDF).
