The Washington State Energy Code (WSEC) moves to the 2009 version of the code effective July 1st of this year. Substantial revisions have been made to the code from the 2006 edition. NEEC is providing technical assistance to code users to support the migration to the 2009 WSEC (note that Washington State University Extension Energy Program provides TA for the single family residential component of the code, while NEEC handles non-residential and multi-family occupancies). A series of webinars on the non-residential/multi-family features of the code are underway (more details on the NEEC web site) and archived recordings of the webinars will soon be available on the NEEC site for free download. Most building jurisdictions in the state require that permit applications complete the NREC compliance forms (now also covering multi-family projects) and 2009 versions of these forms will be available soon as well.
The City of Seattle has historically exercised its option to pass a more stringent code for other than single family occupancies and a long series of public input meetings has resulted in a new proposed Seattle Energy Code. John Hogan, inveterate representative of the city’s Department of Planning and Development, indicates likely City Council action on this code in July or later.