SierraScape Double Issue - 2019
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BY CAROLINE PUFALT
Even folks who pay little attention to local government would have found it hard to miss the big changes in St Louis County Government in this year. County Executive Steve Stenger, along with a few of his close associates, pled guilty to various versions of corruption. We now have a new County Executive, Sam Page and several new County Council members. Two of whom, Kelli Dunaway and Rita Heard-Days, we supported in an August special election. These, and other changes, bode well for more efficient and transparent county government. Improving energy efficiency standards in our residential building codes is one item we hope can move forward. Over three years ago, the Sierra Club, and other allies, campaigned for improved St Louis County building codes. The county was then in the process of updating its outdated 2009 codes. But the designated county building committee recommended a fractured set of codes, some of which were actually less efficient. Nationwide, buildings are responsible for 40% of our energy use. This is a huge part of our CO2 liability. Energy efficiency is essential to combating climate change. As mundane as building codes may sound, it is our responsibility to keep those standards high.
A well-attended February 2017 public hearing clearly illustrated public interest in up-to-date energy efficient homes. St Louis County homes should not be second or third rate. With this controversy and the other chaos, confusion and malfeasance afoot in county government at the time, the code change was never voted on by the full County Council.
Now with a new county government landscape, we are optimistic about developing good building code recommendations and a favorable County Council vote. But it still won't be easy. Our code is now 10 years behind. Some of the backward forces in the county are still at play.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Contact your Council Member & tell them you support the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code.