Letter of Opposition to Iowa Senate File 479Copyrighted
March 20, 2023
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 06.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Letter of Opposition to Iowa Senate File 479
SUMMARY: City Manager providing a copy of a letter to Iowa Representative Chuck
I senhart in opposition to Iowa Senate File 479, a bill for an act repealing
energy conservation requirements for new construction.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Letter of Opposition Supporting Documentation
THE CITY OF
D Ur B TE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
March 3, 2023
Representative Chuck Isenhart
PO Box 3353
Dubuque, IA 52004
Dear Representative Isenhart,
Dubuque
Sustainability Office
50 West 13" Street
NI-Amerlu Ny
Dubuque, 1A 52001
Office (563) 690-6038
gbell Lakityofdubuque.org
www.cityofdubuque.org
2007-2012-2013
2017*2019
The City of Dubuque would like to express strong objection to Senate File 479 (formerly SF334), a bill for
an act repealing energy conservation requirements for new construction. This decision will have a
significant impact on our economy, environment, and health.
Energy conservation is an important issue that affects all of us, and the building sector plays a critical
role in achieving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The energy code
requirements that were in place helped to ensure that new buildings were constructed with energy -
efficient measures and technologies and ensures Iowa's homeowners are not burdened with high
operating costs when purchasing or renting a home in our state.
Furthermore, the lack of energy -efficient standards can lead to poor indoor air quality, lower thermal
comfort levels, and other health and safety risks associated with buildings that do not meet minimum
energy performance requirements and disproportionately impact Iowan households with lower
incomes. A lack of energy efficiency standards typically affects how low-cost housing is built. Low
income and fixed income homeowners or renters, for whom utility bills are a much more significant
percentage of their income and expenses, are particularly hard hit by low energy efficiency housing. It
will also decrease demand for clean energy jobs and products, which could affect economic growth in
Iowa.
Local government, businesses, universities and many other entities are preparing ourselves to compete
favorable for federal grants and contracts related to making Iowa a resilient, energy smart and
independent place. This repeal serves to lower our chances for competitive funding. Additionally, the
current standards benefit all Iowans as they reduce the total cost of ownership for our homes and
buildings. This lowers the cost of living in Iowa and frees up money to be spent in other ways by
homeowners and renters, who will use those savings to improve their lives.
Conservation and thrift are core values for many Iowans, who look to the state to ensure resources are
not needlessly wasted, including energy resources. We appreciate your work and opposition of this bill.
In partnership,
G JiB "el I
Sustainable Community Coordinator
Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork