energy efficiency

A UNC Charlotte architecture professor has designed windows that use suspended algae to filter light and carbon dioxide.

Electric vehicles and renewable energy have gotten most of the attention as the city of Charlotte works to fight climate change. Other tactics aren't so visible — like cool roofs and porous pavement, known as smart surfaces.

North Carolina won't be revising its outdated energy efficiency rules for new homes anytime soon. On Wednesday, the House and Senate both voted to override Gov. Roy Cooper's veto of House Bill 488. The new law blocks the state Building Code Council from updating key sections of the state building code until 2031. Some parts of the current code date from 2009. The law also reorganizes the council and limits the governor's appointment power.

Two former federal emergency management officials say they're concerned that a bill to block some updates to North Carolina's residential building code could disqualify local communities from federal grants to make buildings stronger and safer.

The North Carolina Home Builders Association and the governor-appointed state Building Code Council have battled all year over proposed updates to energy efficiency standards for new homes. With the council poised to adopt the changes, the Republican-controlled legislature stepped in to pass a bill that would block any new standards. Email messages show that the home builders lobby helped write the legislation. Energy efficiency advocates are crying foul on the bill, which the governor vetoed and could come up for an override vote this week.

Gov. Roy Cooper on Friday vetoed two bills — one that would prevent the governor-appointed state Building Code Council from updating energy efficiency rules for new homes until 2031 and another that would change the way charter schools are approved.

U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm visited North Carolina Monday to begin a four-state Southeast tour to promote the Biden administration's climate policies, clean energy investments and new jobs.

On Tuesday, the state Building Code Council, appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper, voted to delay until December a decision on stricter standards for new homes and office buildings. A spokesman for the council said it is still waiting for a report from staff about the projected costs of the legislation — a key part of the debate.

The North Carolina Building Code Council has put off until December a vote on updating energy efficiency rules for new home and office construction.

More debate is expected this week in a fight over whether to modernize North Carolina's building code, including rules that would require new houses to be more energy efficient.