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Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-110

§6836 Support for Voluntary Building Energy Codes

Title 42 › CHAPTER 81 — ENERGY CONSERVATION AND RESOURCE RENEWAL › SUBCHAPTER II — ENERGY CONSERVATION STANDARDS FOR NEW BUILDINGS › § 6836

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary must, within 1 year after October 24, 1992, and after talking with HUD, the VA, other federal agencies, and major building code groups (like CABO, ASHRAE, and state code organizations), help upgrade voluntary energy codes for new homes and commercial buildings. That help must include collecting government and industry data on energy codes, improving the technical basis for the codes, checking cost-effectiveness and technical feasibility of measures in the codes, and identifying appropriate steps for radon and other indoor air pollutants. The Secretary must regularly review the technical and economic basis for these voluntary codes. Based on research, the Secretary must recommend code changes (including radon and indoor air issues), seek adoption of measures that are technically possible and cost-effective, and take part in industry processes to review and update the codes.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §6836

The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In general
Not later than 1 year after October 24, 1992, the Secretary, after consulting with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, other appropriate Federal agencies, CABO, ASHRAE, the National Conference of States on Building Codes and Standards, and any other appropriate building codes and standards organization, shall support the upgrading of voluntary building energy codes for new residential and commercial buildings. Such support shall include—
(1)a compilation of data and other information regarding building energy efficiency standards and codes in the possession of the Federal Government, State and local governments, and industry organizations;
(2)assistance in improving the technical basis for such standards and codes;
(3)assistance in determining the cost-effectiveness and the technical feasibility of the energy efficiency measures included in such standards and codes; and
(4)assistance in identifying appropriate measures with regard to radon and other indoor air pollutants.
(b)Review
The Secretary shall periodically review the technical and economic basis of voluntary building energy codes and, based upon ongoing research activities—
(1)recommend amendments to such codes including measures with regard to radon and other indoor air pollutants;
(2)seek adoption of all technologically feasible and economically justified energy efficiency measures; and
(3)otherwise participate in any industry process for review and modification of such codes.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 6836, Pub. L. 94–385, title III, § 307, Aug. 14, 1976, 90 Stat. 1149; Pub. L. 95–619, title II, § 255, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3238, set forth provisions respecting grants to States for adoption and implementation of performance standards, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 97–35, title X, § 1041(b), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 621.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 6836

Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110