Last month, the State Energy Conservation Office, a unit of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, asked stakeholders for input on whether to move forward on adoption of the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code, a modern code that assures that new buildings use less energy and incorporate new technologies that save energy. The announcement - which requires stakeholders to put in comments by November 24th - is an important step in assuring that Texas does not waste energy - and therefore saves money for consumers - as our population and economic development continues to boom.
A Decade Since the Last State-Level Code Update
The last time the state of Texas considered adopting the latest energy codes for new residential and building construction was back in 2015. At that time, legislation supported by the Sierra Club passed which essentially mandated the state of Texas to adopt a new energy code as the state’s minimum energy code, and they did so, as the State Energy Conservation Office adopted the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code for commercial construction and the energy chapter of the 2015 International Energy Code. Since that law and subsequent rulemaking occurred, virtually every city in Texas has gone forward and adopted new codes for construction, and many of the cities have since updated those codes to the 2018, 2021 or 2024 energy codes. Essentially, every three years the International Code Council adopts new model codes for potential adoption.
Why Progress Stalled - and What Changed in 2025
However, since action was taken in 2015, there has not been any state level action, in part because of conflicting statutes. In both 2023 and 2025, the Sierra Club worked with other stakeholders to pass legislation to “unstuck” this inaction. While a bill that passed in 2023 was vetoed by the Governor, finally, in 2025, SB 783 by Jose Menendez was approved and - unlike in 2023 - was not vetoed.
Is SB 783 Good?
Yes, the Sierra Club fully supported SB 783 because it directs SECO to consider the latest energy codes for potential adoption as the state minimum code for private buildings, while also allowing amendments. The bill also directs SECO to develop “high performance standards” for public buildings such as state agency buildings or public university buildings. The idea is that these buildings should go beyond basic codes to save even more energy and other resources.
Now as in all bills there are some important “compromises” in order to get support from other stakeholders, including the potential for SECO to suggest state amendments to the codes, and also a requirement that any code go through a full cost-benefit analysis to see if it makes sense to adopt the code. In other words, are the likely slightly higher costs to build a building with a more advanced code worth it, considering the benefits to the building owner, occupant and the larger community.
What Happens Next: SECO and ESL Begin Their Review
Once SECO receives comments it will turn those over to the Energy Systems Laboratory for further analysis. ESL is tasked with assessing both the potential energy savings of new codes, but also the overall cost-benefit analysis before actual rulemaking can occur. It is emancipated that a formal rulemaking proposal could occur by next summer.
Sierra Club’s Recommendations for Stronger, Future-Ready Codes
In our written comments, Sierra Club plans to call on SECO to adopt the latest code for both residential and commercial, but also point out that those codes do include potential strengthening amendments for solar-ready, electric-ready and EV- ready buildings. In addition, with the big increasing demand on the grid, Sierra Club will also be suggesting that all-electric buildings should not be able to use “electric resistance” heating - but modern heat pumps.
A Path Toward a Cleaner, More Affordable Texas Energy Future
A recent analysis by the Department of Energy found that adoption of the 2024 IECC improves residential energy efficiency by approximately 7.8% site energy, 6.8% source energy, and 6.6% energy cost savings compared to the 2021 code, and even more compared to the 2015 code.
Statewide adoption of these codes is a first step toward a cleaner - and more affordable - energy future for all Texans.