The South-central Partnership for Energy Efficiency as a Resource (SPEER) and BCAP provided thirteen building code professionals advanced training to become certified Energy Code Ambassadors in the state of Texas. These experienced code enforcement professionals have stepped forward to offer their expertise and assistance to other building departments and the construction industry, to assure that construction of buildings and homes comply with the energy code, providing greater energy efficiency. “These Ambassadors are our ‘boots on the ground’ to reach out to the many regions of Texas”, said Chris Herbert, SPEER’s Managing Director. When built to the energy code, buildings and homes are more comfortable and have lower monthly energy bills.

Energy Code Ambassadors can be reached by phone or email to answer questions about the energy code. An Ambassador has access to resources to assist local enforcement staff, may be called upon to provide local training for building professionals, or peer to peer assistance on plan reviews or technical issues facing the industry. SPEER is expanding this program in 2014 to include other regions of Texas and Oklahoma. They are also organizing localized working groups, to better enable the Ambassadors to meet the education and resource needs of building professionals, and to raise the bar in building efficiency. SPEER is also available to assist local governments who are considering updating their energy codes.

The Energy Code Ambassador Program was sponsored in Texas by the South-central Partnership for Energy Efficiency as a Resource (SPEER), the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP), the International Code Council (ICC), and the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO).

To locate an ambassador near you, visit SPEER’s ambassador webpage or BCAP’s ambassador portal.