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DPW amends building safety regs to qualify for $18.6M stimulus funding
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Posted on May 26 2009
The Department of Public Works has filed a notice of emergency regulations that seek to amend the regulations of the DPW’s Building Safety Division in order for the CNMI to avail of over $18.6 million of federal stimulus grants.
The notice, filed with the Commonwealth Register on April 29, 2009, was submitted by Building Safety official Martin Sablan and acting Attorney General Gregory Baka and concurred by Gov. Benigno R. Fitial.
The emergency regulations become effective immediately upon filing with the Commonwealth Register and delivery to Fitial.
DPW stated in the notice that public interest requires adoption of the regulations on an emergency basis in order for the CNMI to qualify for $18.6 million in federally energy-related economic stimulus grants under the American Recovery and Renewal Act of 2009.
Under the emergency regulations, DPW will take steps to enhance energy efficiency and the wise use of energy by making certain regulatory changes.
The emergency regulations provide for International Building Code and its energy code provisions, the Tropical Energy Code and its energy code provisions, update the schedule of fees, update seismic and typhoon standards, clarify permit, certificate and enforcement provisions, and correct typographical errors.
The other reasons for emergency adoption are:
* The CNMI requires immediate implementation of measures that will reduce future consumption of oil, turning to other measures, including energy efficiency, to help meet the Commonwealth’s energy needs.
* The old, present regulations, if applied in the immediate future, would impede the CNMI’s qualification for the federal grants, impede the realization of needed energy efficiency measures, increase the vulnerability of CNMI structures and people, to earthquake and typhoon wind damage.
* The earthquake and typhoon requirements must be updated to presently understood safety levels.
