NAHB and Rhode Island BA Partnership Gets $1.6 Million for Energy Code Training

The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources and the Rhode Island Builders Association (RIBA) have received a $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to provide energy code training and educational resources to building inspectors, designers, home builders and construction trades professionals in the state.

RIBA will focus on training home building professionals on the new state energy code using materials developed through a partnership with NAHB. The new state code is based on the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and is a significant change from the previous requirements. RIBA’s goal is to bring the building industry in the state up to speed on the new code quickly to ensure continuous supply of homes and remodels. 

Funding for the DOE grant came from a program included in the bipartisan infrastructure law passed in 2021.

NAHB began working with RIBA last year to help the HBA develop training modules on various aspects of the new code. Staff from NAHB and RIBA collaborated with building science and other experts on materials that addressed the particular energy code in Rhode Island and that will hopefully be usable in other jurisdictions.

“We wanted an industry-based training program for the code that could allow RIBA to be a training partner in the space, work in collaboration with its state energy office, and to create a resource for other state HBAs who may soon face these circumstances,” said John Marcantonio, executive officer of RIBA.

NAHB and RIBA held its first in-person training session in January attended by state and local leaders, including the governor, who were interested in the workforce training aspect of the event.

Training and development are a core part of RIBA’s membership strategy. The association offers courses, many free of charge, designed to help experienced trade professionals transition to general contracting and home building. RIBA also offers other education options, including a full suite of NAHB courses.

“NAHB responded quickly to the need,” noted Marcantonio. “The two organizations worked over a short period of time to produce and launch a comprehensive and easy-to-understand series of course modules designed for builders by builders.”

The energy codes training modules and training session are a great example of a successful partnership between NAHB, its members and HBAs.