Making homes more energy efficient

In September, state building code officials from across the country approved the largest improvement in building codes in recent history. The move will increase the energy efficiency of new homes by as much as 20 percent.

Wisconsin Environment, with our national federation, Environment America, called for making building codes 30 percent more efficient—a goal that our research showed was feasible with current technology. To make the case, we released a white paper in July, titled “Building an Energy-Efficient America.”

“Much work needs to be done to move America toward a future of super-efficient and zero-energy buildings,” said our federal chief energy advocate, Rob Sargent. “But this step signifies progress.”

Historic regional agreement to protect Great Lakes

In  September, our two-year campaign to protect the Great Lakes culminated in Congress approving the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact, a multi-state agreement to ensure more sustainable use of Great Lakes water. Millions of Americans depend on the Great Lakes for drinking water and recreation, and although vast, the lakes are vulnerable. When too much water is taken out of the lakes, everything from wildlife to fishing is disrupted.

The Great Lakes Compact will help prevent this threat by prohibiting nearly all new or increased out-of-basin water diversions and requiring Great Lakes states to develop water conservation programs. Over the last two years, Wisconsin Environment and other state members of the Environment America federation worked to pass the Great Lakes Compact in their respective states, and our staff in Washington, D.C., advocated its passage in Congress.

Wisconsin Environment applauds Wisconsin’s congressional delegation and other members of Great Lakes congressional delegation for helping to pass the compact.