The Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP) is a nonprofit advocacy organization that promotes the adoption, implementation and advancement of building energy codes on the state, local, and international levels.
With over twenty years of experience, BCAP has established itself as a trusted, non-partisan U.S. leader for energy code advocacy, research and analysis, technical support, training, and code status tracking. From its national platform, BCAP facilitates increased communication and collaboration between allies, identifies and navigates past policy and structural pitfalls, and helps state and local decision-makers design strategies to improve building energy efficiency.
History and Mission
The Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP) was established in 1994 as a joint initiative of the Alliance to Save Energy, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. On June 1, 2014, BCAP “graduated” from its status as a program of the Alliance and became an independent organization and a proud project of the Trust for Conservation Innovation. BCAP is headquartered in Washington, DC. We have satellite staff in Albany, NY and Toledo, OH.
BCAP’s goal is to reduce the energy consumed in the construction and operation of buildings by working with national, state, and local governments and other international and national stakeholders to promote the adoption, enforcement, and compliance of building energy codes and standards. BCAP aspires to be the premier resource for energy code support, coordination, technical assistance, news, and information.
Interested in supporting our work? Your donation, less goods or services received, is tax deductible to fullest extent of the law. Your financial contributions are very much needed to help us carry out our vision.

Selected Projects
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Compliance Planning Assistance
Since 2010, BCAP has worked with 22 states through the CPA Program to help them take practical steps towards achieving full compliance with the model energy codes. The CPA Program is divided into two phases:- Gap Analysis Report: Comprehensive document of the state’s existing energy code infrastructure that assesses the gaps between the state and its compliance goals, identifies best practices, and offer initial recommendations for improvement.
- Strategic Compliance Plan: A targeted, state-specific road map with practical near- and long-term action items based on Gap Analysis recommendations to move the state towards full energy code compliance.
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Consumer Outreach Campaign
Everyone has a right to a home that meets or exceeds national standards. That’s why BCAP teamed up with the Consumers Union—makers of Consumer Reports—to educate the public on the impact of home energy use, the role of energy codes in addressing home energy performance, and what you can do as a consumer to save energy—and money. BCAP has launched campaigns in several states and cities – to raise consumer awareness and support of energy codes. BCAP and Consumers Union created a national energy code checklist and guide, in addition to state-specific resources.For information on our Consumer’s campaign, please visit our Consumers Portal or visit the Consumers Union Build Better, Live Better campaign. -
Incremental Cost Analysis
One of the major barriers to energy code adoption is the concern that the cost of upgrading homes to comply with the latest model energy code would be prohibitive. To address this issue for policymakers and the building community, BCAP completed a nationwide incremental cost analysis (as well as on demand studies for states and cities). Each report and accompanying handout provides a clear, conservative estimate of the added upfront construction costs, the monthly energy bill savings, and long-term homeowner profit from the energy code upgrade specific to each state and city studied. -
Energy Code Ambassador Program
BCAP and the International Code Council (ICC) created this initiative to empower existing code professionals so they may develop their familiarity and expertise with energy codes and share their knowledge throughout their jurisdiction and state.
Our Staff
A team of policy and technical professionals who understand the complexity of energy codes
Our Services
BCAP provides a range of services to federal, state and local governments, foundations, private organizations and other nonprofits.
- Adoption Support
- Compliance Assistance
- Technical Expertise
- Outreach and Coordination
- International Work
Annual Reports
BCAP Annual Reports include the status of the organization and codes at the time of publication, summaries of projects from the past and upcoming years, updated services, financial information, and more.
Click here to read our most recent Statement of Qualifications.
2013 Annual Report
2012 Annual Report
2011-2012 Report
2009 Annual Report