One of the state’s leading construction industry advocates is encouraging its members to weigh in on the good and the bad in the latest update of the state’s 2024 energy code before it’s adopted. 

The Washington State Building Code Council is accepting public comment until Aug. 7, according to a release. Along with written comments, the council will have a public hearing in Spokane on the last day of the comment period. 

“Fortunately, there are some good changes, like adding the energy rating index pathway from the model code, which builders have been requesting for multiple cycles,” the Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) said in a statement. “Unfortunately, the code still discourages gas use and adds other changes which increase construction cost without providing meaningful cost savings to consumers.” 

Changes are being proposed for the residential and commercial energy codes. Details on those proposals as well as preliminary financial impacts are available at biaw.com/news/tell-the-sbcc-support-energy-choice-performance-based-compliance-and-housing-affordability-in-new-energy-codes.

Written comment on the changes may be sent to [email protected] until 11:50 p.m. on Aug. 7. 

The council’s public hearing for eastern Washington will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 7 at 808 W Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane, WA 99201. To participate you must fill out a sign-up sheet and email it to [email protected] at least 30 minutes before the start of the hearing. Commenters should anticipate limiting their input to three minutes.