New RBES & CBES Code Enforcement Date Announced

RBES and CBES stakeholders:

The rulemaking process for both the 2020 RBES and CBES has been completed, and we are pleased to announce that the effective date for the new code will be September 1, 2020. This will allow plenty of time to produce and print the RBES and CBES code books as well as the RBES Handbook. The REScheck and COMcheck software is being developed by the Pacific Northwest National Lab, and will be updated and tested well in advance of the effective date. We will notify stakeholders when the software is posted on the PSD website.

As a reminder, a commercial project that is permitted before September 1st, 2020 will be governed by the current 2015 CBES.  A residential project (including multifamily buildings 3 stories or less) that begins construction before September 1st, 2020 will be subject to the current code, 2015 RBES.

In the meantime, we have posted videos of the latest 2020 RBES and 2020 CBES trainings here:

https://publicservice.vermont.gov/content/building-energy-standards-update

Keith Levenson

Energy Program Specialist

Vermont Dept. of Public Service

112 State Street

Montpelier, VT 05620

802.828.4072