Energy efficiency

Triple digit temperatures in the Treasure Valley are taxing the power grid. For the first time this summer season, Idaho Power has triggered a flex program to help ease demands for electricity.

Residential energy use accounts for about 20% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions.

The U.S. Department of Energy funding is meant to strengthen the grid against disasters exacerbated by climate change.

The College of Idaho is tackling three issues this year with their second Idaho Policy Forum, bringing together a wide group of speakers to talk about the open primary initiative, green energy and school vouchers.

The Building Code Board unanimously voted to approve a draft of the trims this summer.

The bill goes back on an agreement that allowed local governments to have stricter energy efficiency rules if they were in place before 2018.

A bill passed by the House Business Committee Monday is the latest effort to limit cities’ abilities to enforce their own energy codes that regulate heating and cooling equipment, lighting and how air-tight a building is.

The board was considering cuts to some energy efficiency requirements for commercial and residential buildings. They regulate heating and cooling equipment, lighting and how air-tight a home is.

The Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses, or DOPL, is proposing getting rid of some minimum efficiency standards in residential and commercial buildings as they relate to insulation, heating and cooling, and lighting, among other provisions.

Some who testified Tuesday think the codes, which regulate things like the size of HVAC units and whether air leakage tests are needed, are good for consumer protection and keep utility bills low.