The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provides a historic opportunity to advance the efficiency and resilience of building energy codes in states and local jurisdictions throughout the United States. As outlined in Section 40511 of the Act, $225M in funding has been appropriated to “eligible entities to enable sustained cost-effective implementation of updated building energy codes” through a competitive grant process over five years (FY22-FY26). Awardees eligible for this funding must include a relevant state agency, and priority will be given to teams that include strategic partnerships, such as a local building code agency, codes and standards developers, associations of builders and design and construction professionals, and many others. Projects must also be tied to an updated building energy code, which includes any amendment or code update resulting in increased energy efficiency as compared to the previously adopted code. The act outlines priority criteria for the funding, including an established need by an eligible entity, the long-term sustainability of measures and savings, the ability to address equity, energy, and environmental justice (EEEJ) and resilience priorities, and others.
RECI FOA Selections Announced
Released: July 12, 2023
On July 12, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $90 million in competitive awards to help states, cities, tribes, and partnering organizations implement updated energy codes for buildings. Funded by the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, these awards will support 27 projects across 27 states and the District of Columbia to ensure buildings meet the latest standards for energy efficiency—reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowering energy bills for American families and businesses. Awardees will provide technical assistance for updating state and local building codes, as well as their successful implementation across the country.
The 27 awarded projects were selected following a robust stakeholder engagement process and target partnerships across the range of energy code stakeholders who play an important role supporting the successful implementation of building codes. These awards encompass a number of key activities supporting energy code updates and implementation, including workforce development, community engagement, research and data collection, energy, equity and environmental justice, and increased support for compliance and enforcement.
Funding Opportunity Announcement
Released: December 19, 2022
On December 19, 2022, DOE issued the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) supporting the implementation of resilient and efficient energy codes, in accordance with Section 40511 of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
The activities to be funded under this FOA support the BIL, as well as a broader government-wide approach to advance building codes and support their successful implementation. The primary focus centers around updating to more efficient building energy codes that save money for American homes and businesses, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and encourage more resilient buildings.
This FOA includes one topic area broadly focused on the cost-effective implementation of updated energy codes.
DOE expects to make a total of approximately $45,000,000 of federal funding available for new awards under this FOA, subject to the availability of appropriated funds. DOE anticipates making approximately 10-30 awards under this FOA. DOE may issue one, multiple, or no awards. Individual awards may vary between $500,000 and $10,000,000.
Notice of Intent
Released: July 21, 2022
Based on feedback from a formal Request for Information and public workshop, DOE has issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) to publish a funding opportunity supporting the implementation of resilient and efficient energy codes, in accordance with Section 40511 of the Infrastructure Law.
The full NOI includes a brief description of each area of interest, along with additional details outlining EERE’s intent for the FOA.
Request for Information
Released: April 12, 2022
The U.S. DOE Building Energy Codes Program issued a request for information (RFI) seeking input from stakeholders to inform the implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s $225M in funding for improved building codes. Through the RFI, DOE specifically requested input regarding the solicitation process and structure of a potential Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation (RECI) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA).
The information collected will not be published.
Please click here to access the official RFI. Please note that the deadline for public comments has now passed.
RFI Public Workshop
The DOE Building Energy Codes Program hosted a public workshop, April 27, 2022, on the RFI. The intent of this workshop was to complement the RFI and gather additional feedback from the general public on how DOE can most effectively administer funding appropriated through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.