The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently unveiled new guidance on additional assistance funding for net zero buildings.
The funding is available for implementing net-zero energy projects with a tie to disaster recovery or mitigation. FEMA encourages applicants to incorporate net zero activities into eligible recovery and mitigation projects.
For projects to be identified as net-zero energy, buildings must meet or exceed the energy performance thresholds and renewable generation requirements specified in the zero energy appendices of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
The increased costs of designing projects to be net-zero over traditional methods is allowable on certain eligible projects.
FEMA eligibility requirements for net zero energy buildings
For a FEMA project to be determined eligible as a net-zero energy project, each project must meet applicable program eligibility requirements. For new construction, major renovations, reconstruction, or code updates to be identified as net-zero energy, the following requirements will be taken into consideration to allow for additional costs, or other program or grant benefits.
New building construction and major renovations projects:
1. Are defined as new buildings or complete overhauls of existing buildings to salvage existing core structural elements, historical facades, etc. without any functional floor area being preserved in the process.
2. Must produce buildings that meet or exceed the energy performance thresholds and renewable generation requirements specified in the zero energy appendices of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), appendix CC and RC for commercial and residential, respectively. Code specifications or standards that are equivalent to or more stringent than the IECC require the project engineer, design professional, or other project professional to identify the energy requirements of such local code specifications or standard as equivalent to or more stringent to the IECC.
3. Must comply with these requirements using the methodology and requirements outlined in these IECC Appendices, or subsequent, more recent versions, or other versions of zero energy building codes as they may emerge and be specified by FEMA or Department of Energy (DOE) as eligible.
Existing buildings that are transitioning to net-zero energy projects:
1. Are defined as existing buildings which are eligible for FEMA funding that undergo an alteration, modification, or other retrofit.
2. Alterations, modifications, or other retrofits affecting part but not all of an existing building must meet or exceed the requirements outlined in Chapter 7 and Normative Appendix B (if applicable) in the 2021 or most recent version of the International Green Construction Code (IgCC). These construction and procurement requirements ensure that high performance equipment and materials are installed in the facility, even if the facility as a whole, will not meet the energy performance targets specified in the IECC Zero Energy Appendices. Code specifications or standards that are equivalent to or more stringent than the IgCC require the project engineer, design professional, or other project professional to identify the energy requirements of such local code specifications or standard as equivalent to or more stringent to the IgCC.
3. The project must procure renewable energy generation in an amount equivalent to or greater than the annual energy consumption of the alteration, modification, or other retrofit of the existing building. The amount of renewable energy generation required for the project can be calculated using the methodologies outlined in the IECC Zero Energy Appendices. Pairing this renewable generation with high performance equipment and materials will enable partial-building projects for existing buildings to achieve net-zero standards.
4. Compliance with these requirements will be performed using the methodology and requirements outlined in the IECC Zero Energy Appendices and the IgCC where specified above throughout the construction process.
Related Stories
| Sep 12, 2011
Putting a stamp on USPS's first green roof
The Morgan Building roof totals 150,000-sf. In addition to a vegetated green roof, other roof areas were upgraded and included 55,000-sf of reflective concrete pavers and ballast, which were also placed over a Sarnafil waterproofing membrane, and 40,000-sf of EnergySmart Roof—a reflective, energy-efficient vinyl roofing system from Sika Sarnafil.
| May 18, 2011
Carnegie Hall vaults into the 21st century with a $200 million renovation
Historic Carnegie Hall in New York City is in the midst of a major $200 million renovation that will bring the building up to contemporary standards, increase educational and backstage space, and target LEED Silver.
| May 16, 2011
Seattle unveils program to boost building efficiency
Seattle launched a new program that will help commercial property owners and managers assess and improve building energy efficiency. Under the program, all commercial and multifamily buildings larger than 10,000 sq. ft. will be measured for their energy performance using the EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.
| May 10, 2011
Are green goals out of reach for federal buildings?
Many federal agencies are struggling to convert their existing buildings to meet green standards, according to the Office of Management and Budget. Of 20 agencies graded by the OMB on their compliance with green mandates, only seven met the 2010 mandate that requires at least 5% of their buildings meet energy-efficient and sustainable standards.
| Apr 14, 2011
U.S. embassies on a mission to green the world's buildings
The U.S. is putting greater emphasis on greening its worldwide portfolio of embassies. The U.S. State Department-affiliated League of Green Embassies already has 70 U.S. embassies undergoing efforts to reduce their environmental impact, and the organization plans to increase that number to more than 100 by the end of the year.
| Feb 7, 2011
GSA Unveils New Sustainable Workplace Design Tool
The U.S. General Services Administration launched its Sustainable Facilities Tool on Monday, Feb. 7. The innovative online tool will make it easier for both government and private-sector property managers and developers to learn about and evaluate strategies to make workplaces more sustainable, helping to build and create jobs in America’s clean energy economy of the future.
| Feb 4, 2011
U.S. Green Building Council applauds President Obama’s Green Building Initiative
The U.S. Green Building Council applauded a key element of President Obama’s plan to “win the future” by making America’s commercial buildings more energy- and resource-efficient over the next decade. The President’s plan, entitled Better Buildings Initiative, catalyzes private-sector investment through a series of incentives to upgrade offices, stores, schools and universities, hospitals and other commercial and municipal buildings.
| Feb 4, 2011
President Obama: 20% improvement in energy efficiency will save $40 billion
President Obama’s Better Buildings Initiative, announced February 3, 2011, aims to achieve a 20% improvement in energy efficiency in commercial buildings by 2020, improvements that will save American businesses $40 billion a year.
