Section 11-103. Applications

1. (a) The code relating to the construction
  of all buildings, or classes of buildings in the state, for purposes  of
  minimizing  the  consumption  of  energy and providing for the efficient
  utilization of the energy expended in the use and occupancy of buildings
  is continued.   Such code shall be  at  least  equal  to  the  standards
  specified  in  standard  90-75  of  the  American  Society  of  Heating,
  Refrigerating and Air Conditioning  Engineers,  Inc.,  entitled  "Energy
  Conservation in New Building Design", known hereafter as ASHRAE Standard
  90-75;  and  to  the  reference standards upon which the ASHRAE Standard
  90-75 is based; provided however, that in addition any  portion  of  the
  code  which  applies  to  residential  construction  shall  be  at least
  equivalent  to  the  requirements  set  forth  in  the  public   service
  commission  opinions,  PSC  76-16 (C) dated May fifteenth and sixteenth,
  nineteen hundred seventy-seven, and appendices thereto. The  code  shall
  apply  to  all  buildings for which application for a building permit is
  made and plans are filed in  this  state  on  or  after  January  first,
  nineteen hundred seventy-nine, which date shall be the effective date of
  the code.
    (b) The rules and regulations relating specifically to the substantial
  renovation  of  all buildings, or classes of buildings in the state, for
  purposes of minimizing the consumption of energy and providing  for  the
  efficient utilization of the energy expended in the use and occupancy of
  such  buildings  are continued.   Such rules and regulations shall apply
  only to that portion of a building  subsystem  or  subsystems  which  is
  replaced; provided that fifty percent or more of such building subsystem
  or subsystems is replaced.
    2.  The state fire prevention and building code council is authorized,
  from time to time as  it  deems  appropriate  and  consistent  with  the
  purposes of this article, to review and amend the code through rules and
  regulations  provided  that the code remains cost effective with respect
  to building construction in the state. The code  shall  be  deemed  cost
  effective  if  the  cost of materials and their installation to meet its
  standards would be equal to or less than the  present  value  of  energy
  savings that could be expected over a ten year period in the building in
  which such materials are installed.
    3.  Notwithstanding  any  other  provision  of  law,  the  state  fire
  prevention and building code council  in  accordance  with  the  mandate
  under  this  article shall have exclusive authority among state agencies
  to promulgate a  construction  code  incorporating  energy  conservation
  features.  Any  other code, rule or regulation heretofore promulgated or
  enacted  by  any  other  state  agency,  incorporating  specific  energy
  conservation   requirements   applicable  to  the  construction  of  any
  building, shall be superseded by the code promulgated pursuant  to  this
  section.
    4.   The   secretary   of   state   is  authorized  to  issue  written
  interpretations of the code upon written request of a  permit  applicant
  or  the  official  responsible for the administration and enforcement of
  the provisions of the code. Subsequent enforcement of the code shall  be
  consistent with such written interpretations.