Mississippi development plan will do the following activities to adopt the selected code: 1. Assess staffing and contractual needs for successful code adoption and implementation. [3 months] 2.…

This $3,509,969.00 Formula Grant award from the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Information Dissemination, Outreach, Training and Technical Analysis/Assistance program (CFDA 81.117) supports the Mississippi Development Authority's efforts to adopt updated energy building codes. Key activities include:

Assessing staffing and contractual needs, developing a technical draft of the proposed code update, creating an advisory board, conducting a survey of existing codes and enforcement, identifying training resources, hosting stakeholder workshops, submitting recommended code changes to the state legislature, and providing training and education to stakeholders on the new energy codes. The award aims to facilitate the adoption and implementation of the latest energy building codes across Mississippi, including supporting compliance mechanisms and workforce development. This multi-faceted project will run from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025.

Mississippi development plan will do the following activities to adopt the selected code: 1. Assess staffing and contractual needs for successful code adoption and implementation. [3 months] 2. Develop an analysis and produce a technical draft of the proposed code update. [1 month] 3. Create an advisory board that will provide access to different skill sets and expertise to collaborate on the adoption, implementation, and education necessary for updating existing energy building codes. 4. Engage local university to conduct a survey of existing codes, enforcement, licensing regulations, and identity gaps in compliance as well as opportunities for enforcement. 5. Identify training resources and make available educational seminars and sessions to engage communities, organizations, and individuals on the differences in the existing code and the proposed version. [2 months] 6. Conduct stakeholder workshops to review proposed changes and any other issues various groups may have. Workshops would include local architects, engineers, contractors, realtors, vendors, and government agencies. [6 months] 7. After building consensus of approved changes, submit recommended changes to the legislature to update the building code standards. This requires public hearings for their vote. Approved law changes are sent to the governor for signature. [in alignment with 2026 mississippi legislative cycle] 8. Identity and evaluate various software and compliance resources for mississippi stakeholders, local governments, and workforce, e.g., comcheck software. [throughout the code adoption process] 9. Provide training and education for all stakeholders through existing channels and certification programs to successfully implement, comply with, and enforce the newest energy codes. Areas of emphasis will include in-depth information on administration of mississippi adoption plan – 3 codes, requirements, prescriptive pathways as well as software overview for compliance. In-service training sessions for students will also include basics on basic strategies for building energy efficiency.