WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Dept. of Energy has announced $400 million in funding to help states adopt and implement updated energy codes for new commercial and residential construction.

States and territories will be able to qualify for funding if they commit to adopt either zero energy codes or the latest model energy codes as set forth by the DOE. They have until mid-November to indicate their goal to adopt new codes.

If all 50 states agreed to update to the most recent model energy codes and followed through, the DOE projects that over the next three decades this savings would be great enough to power all the homes in the U.S. for one year.

“This funding will ensure that states and local communities have the tools necessary to lead the way in increasing the performance and the overall health of buildings through energy codes,” said Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.

The source of this funding is the Inflation Reduction Act that was signed into law in mid-August of 2022.

A zero energy code ensures that the commercial or residential building is so energy efficient that a renewable energy system offsets most or all of the home’s annual energy use.