About the site and council | Energy Step Code

About the site

This site is intended as a resource to help local governments, industry, and other stakeholders more effectively use the BC Energy Step Code. It is hosted by the Province of British Columbia, with support from the Energy Step Code Council.

About the Energy Step Code Council

In 2017, the Province of British Columbia established the Energy Step Code Council to support the successful implementation of the BC Energy Step Code and the market transition to net-zero energy ready buildings. A representative of the Province of British Columbia’s Building and Safety Standards Branch chairs the Council. Government, industry, and utility stakeholders serve as Council representatives

As an advisory body, the Council does not have any formal regulatory or administrative authority. Instead, it provides a venue for stakeholders to gather and share information, and work collaboratively to resolve issues as they arise. Informally, it serves as a “bridge” between the provincial government, utilities, local governments, and the building, development and design sectors, to help local governments adopt the BC Energy Step Code in a prudent and coordinated manner.

The Province of British Columbia works with the Energy Step Code Council to monitor how local governments are implementing the standard, including any impacts on housing affordability and technical building requirements. Issues identified by the Council may inform future changes to the technical content of the regulation, or how it is implemented.

Under its Terms of Reference, the Council:

Supports the creation and dissemination of training and capacity building opportunities for local governments, industry, and other stakeholders
Provides advice and clarification of technical aspects of the BC Energy Step Code
Seeks resolution of implementation issues as they arise