Ken Baker - BCAP Energy Code Champion (Summer 2010)

Idaho has long been a model energy code adoption state, keeping a standard three-year code update cycle. As one of BCAP’s Ten Places to Watch in 2010 and a pilot state in the Energy Code Ambassadors Program (a partnership between BCAP and the International Code Council), the state is also poised to implement the 2009 IECC in January 2011. In recognition of his ongoing work supporting energy codes in Idaho and other states in the Interior West, BCAP is proud to announce Ken Baker of K energy as it Summer 2010 Energy Code Champion!

Ken has been working in building energy efficiency since 1978. He earned a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Idaho in 1982 with a focus on energy- and resource-efficient construction techniques and the use of local-based materials to create vernacular and sustainable buildings. He is an experienced educator, facilitator, mediator, and writer. 

Throughout 2006, Ken served on Idaho’s legislative sub-committee on energy and conservation in development of a new state energy plan and has been actively promoting legislation that will enact the plan. In April 2008, he was appointed by Idaho Governor Butch Otter to chair the Idaho Strategic Energy Alliance Conservation and Energy Efficiency Task Force.

Ken works with the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) in their BetterBricks program as an educator and training coordinator for the commercial building energy efficiency sector. He works with the BetterBricks Office Real Estate program, providing building energy efficiency planning expertise to Idaho property management companies. He is working with the Idaho Office of Energy Resources to implement the Recovery Act-funded Idaho K-12 Energy Efficiency Project. Currently, Ken is also providing IECC training in the states of Idaho, Utah, and Nevada. 

As of January 1, 2011, all Idaho jurisdictions will be required to comply with the 2009 IECC. Through support from NEEA, Idaho has been able to develop and grow the Idaho Energy Code Collaborative, a ten-year effort work with industry and government stakeholders to champion energy code implementation. Ken is excited for the opportunity to lead the Collaborative along with the Association of Idaho Cities and many other diligent stakeholders.

Read more about Ken’s work at the K energy website.

Ken is the co-author with Jana Kemp of the Greenwood Publishing Co. book Building Community in Buildings: The Design and Culture of Dynamic Workplaces.

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Each quarter, BCAP will be recognizing a new Energy Code Champion. This will be a person who has been working hard behind the scenes to advocate for improving building energy codes. If you have someone you would like to nominate, or if you would like to tell us about the wonderful work you are doing, please write to Paul Karrer at pkarrer@ase.org.

See the full list of BCAP Energy Code Champions