In the second phase of the Compliance Planning Assistance project, BCAP worked with states to develop long-term Strategic Compliance Plans for advancing energy code implementation to meet the goal of 90 percent compliance by 2017. The participating states were selected from the pool of states that participated in the first phase of the project and completed a Gap Analysis Report. States were selected based on BCAP recommendations and input from stakeholders (including DOE, NASEO, and regional energy efficiency organizations), taking into consideration the likelihood that selected states will implement the plans that are produced.

Energy codes programs are primarily implemented at the local level. During this phase of the CPA project, BCAP expanded upon the weaknesses identified in the Gap Analysis Reports and focused on how states can make improvements. Working with the selected states – and local organizations within the states – BCAP ensured that practical, state-specific approaches were developed that were broadly supported among state and local agencies and the larger code community. Additionally, BCAP worked to ensure that these strategies would:

• Strengthen policy
• Improvement enforcement infrastructure
• Deliver effective outreach and training (including recommendations for improving training curricula)
• Measure and collect compliance data (based on DOE protocols)
• Create feedback loops to provide continuous evaluation and improvement in all of these areas

In each state’s compliance plan, BCAP provided targeted and detailed information on how to fund, develop, and implement needed activities and programs, including:

• Funding opportunities for energy codes programs
• Availability of training and resources from regional and national partners (e.g. MEEA, NEEA, NEEP, SEEA, SWEEP, BECP, ICC, ASHRAE, NASEO, USGBC, Sierra Club)
• State/local programs and utility programs (identifying opportunities to expand or redirect such programs so that they can support the state’s energy code compliance goals)
• Partners and stakeholders who can assist with energy code adoption and/or implementation
• Examples of successful energy codes programs in other states

Finally, the plans detailed how to implement the strategies for 90 percent compliance by 2017. BCAP assisted each state in developing plans that met state goals and priorities while taking into account state and local resources. Each plan provided the state with a checklist of activities to track progress and assign tasks/responsibilities to various stakeholders and agencies. These plans:

• Identified key participants and stakeholders for achieving success
• Assigned corresponding roles and actions
• Established milestones for tracking progress
• Provided a schedule for completing actions