As Kansas City, Missouri faces an intense debate over revising its sustainable building regulations, diverse stakeholders weigh the benefits and drawbacks of updating the city’s energy code.

Short Summary:

• Kansas City’s revised energy code could lead to a $10,000 increase in construction costs per home.
• The updated code provides multiple pathways for compliance, including a stricter Prescriptive Path and a more flexible Performance Path.
• Proposed ordinance seeks to create a less stringent compliance option amidst ongoing affordable housing concerns.

The Debate Over Sustainable Building Regulations

Kansas City’s recent commitment to updated energy codes has sparked a dynamic debate on the true costs and benefits of sustainable building, impacting developers, city planners, and residents alike. According to the Kansas City Council, the new codes were a crucial step toward fulfilling the city’s Climate Protection and Resiliency Plan, aiming for higher efficiency in residential and commercial constructions. Mayor Quinton Lucas emphasized,

“These updates to Kansas City’s IEC codes are essential to ensure we reach our climate action goals. Enacting these new, more energy-efficient standards will benefit residents long-term, saving families hundreds of dollars each year.”

However, conflicting cost estimates—from a staggering $30,000 per home suggested by local professional associations to Metropolitan Energy Center’s (MEC) more moderate $10,000 per home increase—have muddled the field. Furthermore, public complaints about the resultant permits backlog and slowed construction pace add fuel to the debate.

Diverse Compliance Pathways: Prescriptive vs. Performance

The existing controversy largely hinges on the two primary paths for code compliance: the Prescriptive Path and the Performance Path. While the former is seen as rigid and costly, the latter offers a more customizable and affordable approach. Established as part of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), the Performance Path bases a building’s compliance on its overall energy efficiency, reflected in a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score.

Program Manager for building sciences at MEC, Mary English, emphasized,

“The majority of the Kansas City region’s residential units are in buildings constructed before the latest energy standards were conceived—therefore, retrofitting existing homes is equally important to improve overall public health.”

Through this dual approach, builders can conform to regulations affordably while still prioritizing occupant health and minimizing environmental impact.

Health and Efficiency: The Broader Impact

Energy-efficient buildings are beneficial not just in terms of environmental sustainability but also for public health. A joint study by MEC and Children’s Mercy Kansas City revealed a significant decline in asthma-related emergencies among children living in such homes. As Kelly Gilbert, MEC’s Executive Director, noted,

“Contractors who use the Performance Path can achieve great building quality, which in turn reduces long-term building occupancy costs. It’s a strategic approach to ensuring that Kansas City’s new and existing structures are affordable, energy efficient, and healthy for everyone.”

Proposed Ordinance 240434: New Compliance Options & Controversy

Less than a year after adopting the new codes, Kansas City Council is scrutinizing Ordinance 240434, a proposal that introduces an additional, less stringent compliance pathway. Sponsored by Councilman Wes Rogers, the ordinance leverages the HERS score system to offer more flexibility. While it’s backed by developers facing an affordable housing crisis, environmental groups like the Sierra Club argue that the move dilutes the city’s resilience goals.

“Right now, our code has no effect on the climate whatsoever; all it does is have an effect on where new housing is getting built,” Rogers told The Star.

Critics counter that the proposed ordinance will not actually make homes more affordable but rather ensure higher profits for developers without real benefits to consumers.

Residential construction permits significantly dropped after the new codes were enacted, reinforcing industry complaints. While the city’s planning and development department reported 62 permits issued under the new codes, many stakeholders see this as a temporary adaptation period rather than a permanent decline.

Public & Industry Reactions

As the city council prepares for further deliberations, public input remains critical. Both supporters and opponents of the ordinance have articulated their positions in public forums and in written testimonies. Environmental advocates like the Sunrise Movement emphasized the socioeconomic ramifications, stating,

“This particular decision puts thousands of poor and working-class people at risk of rising utility bills and buildings that cannot withstand extreme weather.”

On the other hand, proponents argue that the flexibility in compliance paths like the HERS system would invigorate the sluggish construction sector while maintaining high energy efficiency standards.

The ordinance’s reception and ultimate decision by the Kansas City Council may serve as a critical indicator of the city’s climate action resolve and its strategy toward achieving a carbon-neutral future by 2040.

Your Voice Matters

Kansas City residents have an opportunity to influence the outcome of this debate. The Neighborhood Planning and Development Committee will discuss Ordinance 240434 on July 16, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. in council chambers. Public contributions, whether in person or written, are highly encouraged.

Contact your city council representative or email public.testimony@kcmo.org to share your views. For more details on how to participate, visit the Metropolitan Energy Center’s information page at metroenergy.org/energy-code-faq.