WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Biden-Harris Administration Modernizing Building Codes to Save Lives and Save Money

Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced a National Initiative to Advance Building Codes that will help state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments adopt the latest building codes and standards, enabling communities to be more resilient to hurricanes, flooding, wildfires, and other extreme weather events that are intensifying due to climate change—while saving families money on utility bills through improved energy efficiency.

Deputy National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi announced the initiative in Miami, Florida, alongside FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary Kevin Bush, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, and a range of experts in climate resilience and building safety and efficiency.

Read more about the announcement below:

Associated Press: Here's how the government wants to disaster-proof your home
[Freida Frisaro, 6/1/22]

On this first day of the Atlantic hurricane season, federal officials are launching a new initiative to modernize building codes so that communities can be more resilient to hurricanes, flooding, wildfires, and other extreme weather events that are intensifying due to climate change…Updated building codes provide a range of smart design and construction methods "that save lives, reduce property damage, and lower utility bills," according to a news release announcing the National Initiative to Advance Building Codes. It applies to new construction and to homes and buildings that are rebuilt due to damage.

Miami Herald: Biden wants to fix building codes across the nation. Florida is already ahead of the pack
[Alex Harris, 6/1/22]

On Wednesday, the first day of the 2022 hurricane season, the administration announced a new initiative to modernize building codes around the country. Newer building codes could save energy and money and better prepare the nation for the more intense disasters brought on by climate change. Every year, FEMA spends tens of billions of dollars rebuilding communities after hurricanes, wildfires and floods. "Just think about how much less that would be and how much more resilient we would be if we had modern building codes," FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said at a press conference to announce the initiative.

E&E News: Biden using building codes against inflation, climate change
[Nico Portundo, 6/1/22]

President Joe Biden announced an initiative today to strengthen adherence to disaster resilience and energy efficiency building codes as the White House looks to address climate change while also mitigate a summer of skyrocketing energy prices. A new "National Initiative to Advance Building Codes" will advance a governmentwide strategy to compel federal agencies to better ensure America's buildings follow modern codes approved by Biden's National Climate Task Force. Those codes, in part, attempt to ensure homes and other buildings can better withstand natural disasters that are becoming more powerful and common because of climate change.

FIU News: FEMA announces national initiative to modernize building codes at FIU Wall of Wind
[Lourdes Perez, 6/1/22]

With FIU's Wall of Wind (WoW) as a backdrop, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced a new initiative by the Biden-Harris administration to modernize building codes, improve climate resilience and reduce energy costs…. Nearly two out of every three communities in the United States have outdated building codes and, as a result, are vulnerable to climate impacts and higher energy costs. This initiative will help state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments adopt current building codes and standards, enabling communities to be more resilient to hurricanes, flooding, wildfires, and other extreme weather events that are intensifying due to climate change.
Here's what they are saying:

New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen: "Proud to work with
@senrobportman to get this building codes provision through Congress & signed into law. Glad to see @POTUS implement it to address inflation & climate change, reaffirming why energy efficiency is the sustainable solution we need in a 21st century economy." [Tweet, 6/1/22]

Dominic Sims, CEO, International Code Council: "The Code Council commends the administration for leading by example through a comprehensive effort that will ensure federally-assisted construction is safer and more sustainable and will support communities in enhancing their resilience through the adoption and implementation of modern building codes. This is about sound stewardship of federal investments. It's the first step towards breaking the cycle of damage and repair. And it will help assure communities across the country get the resources they need to strengthen construction in the face of growing hazard risk." [Statement, 6/1/22]

Laurie Schoeman, Director, Climate and Sustainability, Enterprise Community Partners:"Climate events threaten to devastate our communities and our limited affordable housing supply, and low-income communities stand to lose the most. That's why these updated codes are so crucial to protecting all Americans from the shocks of climate change – and ensuring our communities and our affordable housing, is prepared for the storms to come." [Statement, 6/1/22]

Nat Wienecke, Senior Vice President, American Property Casualty Insurance Association:"APCIA commends the Biden-Harris Administration for taking action to enhance climate resilience for communities by supporting the adoption of modern, hazard-resistant building codes and standards. This action is critical to increasing their capacity to withstand, respond to, and recover from natural disasters." [Statement, 6/2/22]

Natalie Enclade, Executive Director, BuildStrong Coalition: "BuildStrong has led the charge on the adoption of the latest building codes as a key driver for enhancing community resilience and lowering risk for over a decade, and we see this wholesale federal buy-in as an acknowledgment of that philosophy. We're proud to be a part of this announcement today and look forward to continuing the effort to improve our national climate resilience through modern codes and standards." [Statement, 6/1/22]

Roy Wright, President & CEO, Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety: "Happy to join today's clarion call for broad adoption of Building Codes across the United States. So appreciate the leadership of @FEMA_Deanne
+ @alizaidi46 + @HUDgov + @IntlCodeCouncil + @FederalAlliance" [Tweet, 6/1/22]

Ryan Colker, Executive Director, Alliance for National and Community Resilience: "Achieving resilient and sustainable communities requires a strong focus on the buildings that support our daily lives. This initiative recognizes that building codes provide the foundation to assist communities in meeting climate and resilience goals." [Statement, 6/1/22]

Alliance to Save Energy: "This morning, the @WhiteHouse announced a new initiative to modernize building codes in an effort to improve building #energyefficiency and reduce energy costs. The new initiative will be driven by funds from the bipartisan #infrastructure law." [Tweet, 6/1/22]

American Chemistry Council: "Great to see @WhiteHouseannouncement of an initiative to modernize building codes, enhance climate resilience, & help reduce energy costs! ACC supports federal policies that promote consensus-based model building codes. http://ow.ly/ggC550JnAFN#EnergySmart #ClimateSolutions" [Tweet, 6/1/22]

Appliance Standards Awareness Project: "Today the Administration announced this initiative to help state, local, Tribal & territorial govts adopt the latest building codes + standards, enabling communities to be more resilient to extreme weather events that're intensifying due to climate change." [Tweet, 6/1/22]

Association of State Floodplain Managers: "Federal officials are launching a new initiative today to modernize building codes so that communities can be more resilient to hurricanes, flooding, wildfires, and other extreme weather events that are intensifying due to climate change." [Tweet, 6/1/22]

Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH): "Proud to have joined @alizaidi46 @buildstrong @FEMA_Deanne @FIU @Hudgov @IntlCodeCouncil @MayorDaniella @NSF and @roysterwright at the Wall of Wind for the historic announcement of the National Initiative to Advance #BuildingCodes." [Tweet, 6/1/22]

Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety: "A strong building code is critical to reducing the cycle of damage and destruction caused by severe weather. Hear from IBHS CEO @roysterwright regarding his thoughts of the @POTUS' National Initiative to Advance Building Codes announcement. @WhiteHouse #buildstronger" [Tweet, 6/1/22]

RMI Carbon-Free Buildings: "Today @POTUS announced the New Building Codes Initiative, which advances building codes & standards and has commitments for electrified new federal buildings, major retrofits & more resources to underserved communities! " [Tweet, 6/1/22]