ABQ updates code to save energy
Under a new directive by Mayor Tim Keller’s administration, new city buildings will be subject to a more recent energy conservation code that city officials say is estimated to save between 20 and 25 percent in energy costs. The city currently uses the 2009 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code, which is significantly behind national standards.
The city will utilize the 2015 International Conservation Code for city facility projects, under the new directive, with the goal of eventually moving to the 2018 code.
The International Energy Conservation Code is a building guide that provides minimum design and construction requirements for energy efficiency created by the International Code Council, a group of code officials who develop model codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures.
The adoption of the higher standards will enhance minimum energy efficiency standards for publicly owned facilities.
“Addressing climate change at the local level is a priority for future generations,” Keller said in a statement. “Government buildings are some of the largest energy users so using higher energy efficiency standards can make a big difference to reduce both carbon emissions and the bill for taxpayers.”
TEMPORARY OPERATIONS: With construction beginning on the new Central and Unser Transit Center, ABQ Ride operations have moved just a few hundred feet east to a temporary park and ride fronting Unser Boulevard.
This location temporarily will take buses and passengers for bus routes 54-Bridge/Westgate, 66-Central, 198-98th/Dennis Chavez, 766-Rapid Ride/Red Line and 366-Route 66 Casino (Rio Metro). The temporary lot is equipped with lighting, signage and shelters for passengers. Once construction is complete, operations will shift to the new transit center.
“Since the five bus routes that use Central and Unser will only have to move about three hundred feet away, we don’t expect any delays in service due to this project,” Bernie Toon, director of ABQ Ride, said in a statement.
Buses and passengers will use the entrance on Sarracino NW at Unser to enter the temporary facility. This entrance also can access the neighboring UNM Southwest Mesa Center, Dialysis Clinic Inc. and the Patrick J. Baca Library.
The Central Avenue entrance to the transit center will be closed on and off for the duration of the repair work. Work completion is expected around Feb. 1.