Adobe Stock/Unkas Photo
Adobe Stock/Unkas Photo

The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) is serious about reaching new heights in energy-efficient construction—and the economic boost that comes with it.

The group unanimously adopted 2018 USCM Resolution 86, “Uniting Cities to Accelerate Focus on the Economic and Climate Benefits of Boosting America’s Building Energy Efficiency,” during the organization’s annual meeting, June 8–11, 2018, in Boston.

The resolution was offered by Orlando mayor and USCM Energy Committee vice chair Buddy Dyer and seconded by Mayor Kim McMillan of Clarksville, Tenn.

“As one of the fastest-growing regions in America, we see the importance of improving the minimum efficiency standards in our buildings to ensure measurable and permanent energy savings and emission reductions over the lifespans of these buildings,” said Dyer in a statement. “Improving the energy efficiency of our buildings has proven to lower utility bills, improve occupant comfort, and make our buildings and communities more resilient.”

With Resolution 86, the USCM directly addresses two of its existing priorities: to boost the energy efficiency of the nation’s new buildings and to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions generated by new construction and building operation.

“The U.S. Conference of Mayors recognizes the unique opportunity for cities to work together to meet the lion’s share of Paris Accord targets by focusing greater attention on the energy efficiency of America’s existing and newly constructed residential, multifamily, commercial, and governmental buildings,” the resolution says.

The resolution is founded on two analyses by New York City–based management consulting firm McKinsey & Co.

The first analysis showed that building-efficiency measures have a “negative cost” in reduced carbon consumption, meaning that the utility bill savings that stem from efficient construction quickly recoup the initial cost of the efficiency improvements. The second analysis, “Focused Acceleration,” determined that the best and most effective step cities can take toward meeting Paris Accord and USCM target dates is greater building efficiency.

The USCM has further resolved to achieve this greater building efficiency through improvements to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), which the group has weighed in on through four of its triennial cycles since 2008. The next cycle, which will create the 2021 IECC, is set to begin in January 2019.

The organization's resolution further urges mayors nationwide to work with nongovernmental organizations and other broad-based groups promoting greater building efficiency to "unite and maximize local government support for putting America’s Model Building Energy Code, the IECC, on a glide path of steady progress toward net-zero building construction by 2050.”