FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 5, 2024
Contacts:
Jim Meyers | jmeyers@swenergy.org
Josh Valentine | jvalentine@swenergy.org
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[ALBUQUERQUE, NM] – On Wednesday, January 3, the Construction Industry Commission (CIC) of New Mexico held an important meeting to discuss the adoption of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) within the state. During the session, various stakeholders, industry leaders, and experts presented compelling testimony in support of the code and discussed the potential benefits of incorporating electric vehicle (EV) ready requirements into the state’s building energy code. The meeting was attended by a diverse group of New Mexicans, including consumers, businesses, and state representatives, who emphasized the critical role of this decision in shaping the future of residential and commercial building construction in New Mexico.
A total of 38 people spoke at the CIC meeting, with 35 in favor of the new code and only three people in opposition to the new energy code. The CIC received over 170 written comments on the energy code update. A massive number of citizens wrote in with their support for the code and the need to reduce energy consumption while supporting the need for EV charging, especially at new apartments where many low and moderate-income New Mexicans reside. The electric utility industry also supports the code with EV readiness requirements as the large electric providers voiced their ability to support the EV charging needs as EV sales increase in the state.
Senators Tallman and Sedillo-Lopez, along with Representative Parajon, emphasized the significance of supporting the benefits of the new code for the environment and the need for EV drivers to be able to charge at different types of buildings, particularly in homes and apartments. Special Advisor to the Governor, Marty Chavez, shared the governor’s stance as a strong supporter of energy efficiency and EVs. He also mentioned that the governor led the state as the first in the nation to submit a plan for federal funding to deploy EV charging stations across the state.
In a forward-thinking move, the Construction Industry Division incorporated EV-ready requirements into the 2021 energy code. Advocates argued that incorporating EV-ready infrastructure during the construction phase could significantly accelerate the adoption of EVs, reduce the costs for EV charging to residents, and contribute to the state’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector. These new requirements align with the state’s Advanced Clean Cars policy, adopted in November, which will gradually make EVs the norm for new car sales in New Mexico.
Testimonies highlighted the dual benefits of EV-ready requirements, emphasizing the ease and cost-effectiveness of installing charging infrastructure during the initial construction phase rather than retrofitting existing buildings. Proponents argued that this foresight facilitates the transition to EVs and positions New Mexico as a leader in sustainable and future-ready construction practices.
The decision to adopt the 2021 IECC and integrate EV-ready requirements into the building code can redefine the state’s construction landscape, aligning it with modern sustainability standards and positioning New Mexico as a trailblazer in environmentally conscious building practices. The Commission will reconvene on January 17 for their final vote on the 2021 IECC, as the state moves closer to a transformative leap towards a greener and more sustainable future.
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The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) is a public interest organization promoting greater energy efficiency and clean transportation in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. swenergy.org
