Biden Agenda Dealt Crushing Blow by International Code Council

It is no secret that Joe Biden and Democrats would love to set an agenda that will lead the world in climate change and clean energy.

That quest, however, was dealt a rather significant blow.

The ICC, a D.C.-based group that generally uses U.S. codes and regulations for its recommendations, has rejected many of the provisions outlined by the Biden administration, citing the expense of implementing them.

Not This Time, Joe

The ICC generally regards the U.S. codes as the standard, but not this time.

The board rejected the additional provisions stating that the new rules had put climate initiatives over the actual cost of being energy efficient.

The American Gas Association (AGA) celebrated the new decision, which, had the provisions been endorsed, would have recommended all new homes be equipped with solar panels, all-electric appliances, and EV chargers.

Karen Harbert, the president and CEO of AGA, stated, "The ICC Board of Directors made the right decision for the United States to be more energy efficient in removing these deeply problematic provisions from the code base.

"This is further confirmation of how natural gas and our delivery system are fundamental to protecting America’s energy security and achieving our environmental goals and economic prosperity."

The AGA was far from the only energy group that applauded the decision.

For instance, the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) had warned from the outset that the new provisions would be challenged.

AHRI President and CEO Stephen Yurek stated, "While AHRI and its member companies are committed to energy efficiency and indeed produce the most energy-efficient heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and water heating equipment in the world, if provisions in the IECC increase the likelihood of legal action because of preemption issues or reduce the likelihood that certain states and localities will adopt it, less overall energy will be saved.”

In addition to these two groups, four other energy groups filed appeals on the new guidelines, so it definitely looks as though Joe Biden’s energy agenda is going to be derailed, at least for the time being.