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What are energy codes and why are we working to advance them?

Energy codes are building codes, like fire or safety codes, that regulate the energy efficiency of newly constructed buildings and existing buildings undergoing renovations. In Minnesota, every code is statewide, ensuring all buildings meet the minimum energy performance requirements.

Advancing energy codes plays a critical role in reducing energy bills for owners and occupants, cutting carbon emissions, and improving indoor comfort. This work is led by BuildUp MN, which also supports broader goals — helping Minnesota reach net zero in new construction by 2038, improving code compliance across sectors, building a workforce for the next generation of buildings, and ensuring all Minnesotans, especially those in disadvantaged communities, reap the benefits. 

To learn more about energy codes, visit Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Codes 101. 
 

What is BuildUp MN? 

BuildUp MN was established to support Minnesota’s Climate Action Framework, which calls for new commercial and residential buildings to reach net zero by 2036 and achieve significant energy and emissions reductions in existing buildings. The program is advancing these goals by helping Minnesota achieve statutory requirements to improve the Commercial Energy Code by 80% by 2036 and the Residential Energy Code by 70% by 2038. This work builds upon and continues efforts that originated under the federally funded Minnesota Advanced Energy Code Partnership.

BuildUp MN is a program under Efficient Technology Accelerator, with the participation of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Minnesota Department of Commerce, the state’s investor-owned utilities, consumer owned utilities, and supporting consultants. 

Key activities 

  • Advancing commercial energy codes 

    To meet emission reduction goals and ensure our next generation of buildings are ready for the changing climate, Minnesota has committed to advancing energy codes for all commercial buildings subject to the state building code. Recent legislation has enshrined in statute an aggressive goal of an 80% efficiency improvement in commercial energy code against a 2004 baseline by 2036. 

    To achieve the commercial energy code goal, BuildUp MN will work closely with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) to analyze and propose amendments to the model ASHRAE 90.1 Commercial Energy code to achieve incremental improvements during the next two code adoption cycles. 

     

  • Advancing residential energy codes

    To meet Minnesota’s climate goals and reduce energy use in homes across the state, Minnesota has committed to advance energy codes of all residential buildings subject to state building code. Recent legislation sets a target of 70% efficiency improvement in residential energy code against a 2006 baseline by 2038. 

    BuildUp MN will take a similar approach to the commercial path, collaborating with DLI to propose amendments to the model IECC-R 2024. These efforts will set Minnesota on the path to meeting statutory requirements through incremental improvements.

     

  • Energy code compliance 

    Advanced codes only garner intended energy savings if there is compliance. BuildUp MN is working to improve compliance by providing role-specific training and an online resource hub to simplify energy code compliance. The training curriculum is tailored by profession (e.g., code officials, design professionals, etc.), and the resource hub offers accessible tools to support each step of the process. 

     

  • Support for Tribal Nations 

    We also support Tribal Nations by providing tailored support to develop and update energy codes, improve energy code compliance, and other support activities identified during discussions.  

Codes Advancement Lead

Angela Peterson

Angela Peterson

Codes Program Manager

Angela leads the code advancement efforts for both commercial and residential energy code under Minnesota’s Efficient Technology Accelerator, with a focus on improving energy efficiency in alignment with the state’s Climate Action Framework. 

Before joining CEE, she led continuous improvement and process document efforts at Connexus Energy. Earlier in her career, Angela served as a Lean Sigma Black Belt at Andersen Corporation, where she managed enterprise-level sustainability projects with a focus on waste reduction and energy efficiency. 

Angela holds a master’s degree in communication with a focus on Public Relations and Advertising from Marquette University and bachelor’s degree in communication studies with an emphasis on Professional and Organizational Communication from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. She is a Certified Professional Project Manager (CPPM) and Lean Sigma Black Belt.
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