Proposed building standards for Missouri face challenges

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Legislative interest in adopting statewide minimum building standards proposed in a new Missouri energy plan appears slim.

The Comprehensive State Energy Plan unveiled this month says enacting standards for the wealthiest counties and charter counties would have environmental benefits and save consumers money.

The plan is intended to guide Missouri's energy policy.

But proposals for building standards, one of a number of recommendations in the plan, have previously failed to gain traction in the Legislature.

Lawmakers have the ultimate authority to enact a statewide building code aimed at promoting energy efficiency in new or renovated buildings.

Republican Rep. T.J. Berry chairs a House committee that oversees energy legislation. He said it's doubtful minimum building standards will pass in the Legislature, at least in the next legislative session beginning in January.