Rebuilding and Reenergizing the Building and Energy Codes
Idea Category: Climate Change
Problem
As result of a weakened MUBEC, contractors and developers could not rely on consistency. In one municipality, the building and energy code would be one thing and something totally different in another. Code enforcement officers and the industry both sought consistency. In addition, under the previous administration, the MUBEC was moved from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to the Department of Economic and Community Development. This change project the MUBEC as "red tape" rather than a matter of safety, first and foremost, and subsequently a way of improving our built environment, particularly on the energy usage front. In other words, the MUBEC was decimated and needed significant rehabilitation.
Solution
In my first two terms in the legislature, I fended off efforts to erode the MUBEC further. As soon as Democrats regained control of the executive branch and both legislative chambers, I convened a group of interested parties and legislators to rebuild the MUBEC. Rep. Rykerson of Kittery sponsored legislation to apply the building and energy code statewide and brought the code up to most recent standards. Rep. Caiazzo of Scarborough sponsored legislation to move the MUBEC to DPS and fund several positions which had been eliminated in 2010. Finally, Rep. Kessler of South Portland sponsored legislation to permit municipalities to adopt a "stretch code" which would go above the baseline.
More Idea’s From Ryan Fecteau
House Speaker Ryan Fecteau Proposed Bill to Raise Reimbursement Rates For Direct Care Workers
Idea Category: Workforce | Funding Source: ARP
Expanding Access to Child Care Through Zoning Reform
Idea Category: 2025 Ideas Challenge, Improving Quality of Life | Funding Source: ARP
Maine Speaker of the House Ryan Fecteau Sponsored a Bill That Would Increase the Real Estate Transfer Tax on Expensive Homes to Fund the Construction of New Units
Idea Category: Housing | Funding Source: ARP
Speaker of the Maine House Ryan Fecteau: Reforming Zoning and Land Use in Municipalities
Idea Category: Housing | Funding Source: ARP
Natural Resources Square Up and Tackle Climate Change
Idea Category: Climate Change | Funding Source: ARP
Staycationland: Co-working Spaces Revolutionize Tourism and Remote Employment
Idea Category: Jobs and Entrepreneurship, Smart Government | Funding Source: ARP
Senator Ben Allen Introduced Low-interest Loan Program for Homeowners Impacted by Wildfires
In the wake of last year’s Los Angeles Fires, Sen Ben Allen introduced a bill...
NewDeal Leaders' Work to Invest in Energy Security and Climate Resilience
NewDEALers Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, and Boise Mayor Lauren McLean, all...
