U.S. DOE Selects NEEA for Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation (RECI) Initiative

On Sept. 16, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $90 million in competitive awards to help states, cities, tribal nations, and their partners implement updated energy codes for residential and commercial buildings. NEEA is participating in three, multi-year projects that received awards as part of the Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation (RECI).  

Funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, these awards will support 25 new projects across the country to help ensure buildings meet the latest standards for energy efficiency—lowering energy bills for American families and businesses while reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions and advancing environmental justice. 

The funding is part of the $225 million Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation (RECI) initiative established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and administered by DOE's Building Technologies Office. This second installment of 25 selected projects builds on initial RECI funding of 27 projects totaling $90 million announced in July 2023. It will also help advance the implementation of DOE’s Decarbonizing the U.S. Economy by 2050: A National Blueprint for the Buildings Sector, which lays out a national strategy to significantly reduce building greenhouse gas emissions while providing affordable, equitable, and resilient solutions for communities across America. 

NEEA is leading one project and participating in two projects in collaboration with Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships and Regional Energy Efficiency Organizations. Below is more detail on all three initiatives.  

• Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships will establish a national rural codes collaborative, which will provide a forum to develop, implement, and evaluate tailored programs that overcome various barriers to successfully adopting, implementing, and enforcing energy codes and efficiency programs in rural and Tribal communities across the country.  

• Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance will provide training and business support services to over 300 new and existing building construction, inspection, and energy services professionals in the Northwest with the goal of establishing a network of Energy Rating Index rater to support energy code compliance in rural communities.  

• Regional Energy Efficiency Organizations will leverage their unique position, expertise, and established regional networks to support states and jurisdictions in the successful adoption and implementation of energy codes and building performance standards across the U.S.

For more information contact Kevin Rose, Senior Engineer, Codes and Standards, and read the complete press release.