On June 10, the CEE Board of Directors approved the revised CEESM Residential New Construction Initiative effective July 1, 2025.
Leveraging the shared values of CEE members—, which represent more than 70% of energy efficiency program administrators across the US and Canada—the revised Initiative encompasses a tiered specification with performance-based levels to help drive adoption of increasingly efficient new construction practices, support the development of future building codes that align with program goals, and promote increased stability in a traditionally fragmented market of energy efficiency targets. It is designed to create a foundation from which energy efficiency program administrators can work collaboratively with industry to transform the landscape for newly built homes.
The updated Initiative now includes several enhancements and additions that span energy efficiency, load flexibility, and decarbonization objectives:
CEE thanks participating members, EPA, DOE, and the industry stakeholders who collaborated on this important revision. The New Construction Initiative committee worked for more than a year to refine the market transformation strategy and align the performance-based specification with relevant codes, standards, and energy efficiency programs.
The Consortium for Energy Efficiency is a group of North American utility energy efficiency program administrators. For more than 30 years, Consortium members have developed cutting-edge strategies to accelerate the commercialization of energy efficient solutions to benefit gas and electric customers, utility systems, and the environment. In this work, CEE has successfully engaged with leading manufacturers, trade associations and other market stakeholders to develop win/win solutions that benefit all. Consortium work is guided by Initiatives that members voluntarily implement.