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Electric Vehicle Charging

July 31, 2025

mike@standardsmichigan.com

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GROUP A MODEL BUILDING CODES: Comments on Committee Actions will be received until July 8th

International Building Code Chapter 4, Section 406.2.7

Edison electric vehicle | National Park Service, US Department of the Interior

Free public access to the 2021 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) is linked below:

2021 International Energy Conservation Code

Electric vehicle charging stations are addressed in the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) within two specific appendices:

Appendix RE: This appendix provides detailed requirements for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, focusing on both residential and commercial buildings. It includes definitions and infrastructure standards to ensure that new constructions are equipped to support electric vehicle charging

Appendix CG: This appendix offers guidance on electric vehicle power transfer and charging infrastructure, emphasizing the integration of EV-ready requirements into building designs. It outlines the necessary provisions for installing and managing EV charging stations, ensuring compliance with energy conservation standards

.These appendices are part of the broader efforts to incorporate EV infrastructure into building codes, promoting energy efficiency and supporting the transition to electric vehicles.

Recharging infrastructure at at Google’s Mountain View (California) campus | Pretty ugly, eh?

“Gas” 1940 Edward Hopper

This standard will be updated within a reconfigured code development cycle linked below:

2024/2025/2026 ICC CODE DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE

Keep in mind that many electric vehicle safety and sustainability concepts will track in other titles in the ICC catalog. It is enlightening to see other energy related proposals tracking in the most recent Group A code revision cycle

The following proposals discussed during the Group A Hearings ended earlier this month are noteworthy:

IBC § 202 (NEW) | G66-21 | Electrical mobility definitions

IBC § 1107.2, et al | E124-21 & E125-21 & E126-21 | Electrical vehicle charging stations for R-2 occupancies.

From the Group B revision cycle — COMPLETE MONOGRAPH:

R309.6 Electric vehicle charging stations and systems. Where provided, electric vehicle charging systems shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 70. Electric vehicle charging system equipment shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 2202. Electric vehicle supply equipment shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 2594.

IBC 406.2.7 Electric vehicle charging stations and systems. Where provided, electric vehicle charging systems shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 70. Electric vehicle charging system equipment shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 2202. Electric vehicle supply equipment shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 2594. Accessibility to electric vehicle charging stations shall be provided in accordance with Section 1108.

TABLE R328.5 MAXIMUM AGGREGATE RATINGS OF ESS (Energy Storage Systems) – PDF Page 1476

Incumbents are socking in EV concepts all across the ICC catalog. We refer them to experts in the Industrial Applications Society IEEE E&H Committee.

One of the more spirited debates in recent revision cycles is the following:

Who shall pay for electrical vehicle charging infrastructure?

The underlying assumption is that the electrification of the global transportation grid has a net benefit. We remain mute on that question; the question of net gain.

Of course, many proposals pointed the finger at the stakeholder with the deepest pockets. Accordingly, new commercial building owners will be required to install charging stations for new buildings. During 2018 and 2019 we tracked the action in the workspace below so that we could collaborate with the IEEE Education & Healthcare Facilities Committee:

2021 Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

Given that most higher education facilities are classified as commercial, the cost of charging stations will be conveyed into the new building construction budget unless the unit takes an exception. Generally speaking, most colleges and universities like to display their electric vehicle credentials, even if the use of such charging stations remains sparse.

Cornell University

Issue: [11-40]

Category: Electrical, #SmartCampus

Colleagues: Mike Anthony, Jim Harvey

* The education industry has significant square footage this is classified as residential; particularly on the periphery of large research campuses.

LEARN MORE:

ICC 2021/2022 Code Development Cycle

The Top 5 Energy Efficiency Proposals for the 2021 IECC

Archive / IECC Electric Vehicle Charging

Tax-Free Bonds

July 30, 2025

mike@standardsmichigan.com

D3/1, Election Day, M11, M2, M5, M8

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Current Referenda

Perspective:

In the November 2022 elections, a significant number of school bond referenda were presented to voters across the United States. For example, in Wisconsin alone, there were 57 successful capital referenda amounting to nearly $2.1 billion in authorized debt (Wisconsin Policy Forum)

In Texas, Central Texas schools had a total of $4.24 billion in bonds on the ballot, covering various propositions for school facilities, technology improvements, and athletic facilities (Fox 7 Austin)

In California and Arkansas, bond measures totaling $74 million — including school choice — were aimed at addressing school facility improvements (The74Million)

Voters in 16 North Carolina counties approved bond issues totaling $4.27 billion, with $3.08 billion dedicated to K-12 public school construction and improvements (EducationNC)

“The cure for high prices, is high prices” — They say.

Today we explore fiscal runaway in the US education “industry” with particular interest in the financing instruments for building the real assets that are the beating heart of culture in neighborhoods, cities, counties and states. We steer clear of social and political issues. The marketing of these projects — and how the loans are paid off — provides insight into the costs and benefits of this $100+ billion industry; the largest non-residential building construction market in the United States.

Educational Settlement Finance

We cannot do much to stop the hyperbolically rising cost of administrative functionaries but we can force the incumbents we describe in our ABOUT to work a little harder to reduce un-used (or un-useable) space and reduce maintenance cost. Sometimes simple questions result in obvious answers that result in significant savings.

More recently hybrid teaching and learning space, owing the the circumstances of the pandemic, opens new possibilities for placing downward pressure on cost.

What the University of Michigan has done to reduce the life cycle cost of the real assets of educational settlements

Gallery: School Bond Referenda (August & November Ballots)

Regulation or Money-Laundering?

After Architect-Engineers and Building Construction Contractors (many of whom finance election advocacy enterprises) the following organizations are involved in placing a bond on the open market:

School Districts: Individual school districts issue bonds to fund construction or renovation of school facilities, purchase equipment, or cover other educational expenses. Each school district is responsible for managing its own bond issuances.
Colleges and Universities: Higher education institutions, such as universities and colleges, issue bonds to finance campus expansions, construction of new academic buildings, dormitories, research facilities, and other capital projects.
State-Level Agencies: Many states have agencies responsible for overseeing and coordinating bond issuances for schools and universities. These agencies may facilitate bond sales, help ensure compliance with state regulations, and provide financial assistance to educational institutions.
Municipal Finance Authorities: Municipal finance authorities at the state or local level often play a role in facilitating bond transactions for educational entities. They may act as intermediaries in the bond issuance process.
Investment Banks and Underwriters: Investment banks and underwriters assist educational institutions in structuring and selling their bonds to investors. They help determine bond terms, market the bonds, and manage the offering.
Bond Counsel: Bond counsel, typically law firms, provide legal advice to educational institutions on bond issuances. They help ensure that the bond issuance complies with all legal requirements and regulations.
Rating Agencies: Rating agencies, such as Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s, and Fitch Ratings, assess the creditworthiness of the bonds and assign credit ratings. These ratings influence the interest rates at which the bonds can be issued.
Investors: Various institutional and individual investors, including mutual funds, pension funds, and individual bond buyers, purchase school and university bonds as part of their investment portfolios.
Financial Advisors: Financial advisory firms provide guidance to educational institutions on bond issuances, helping them make informed financial decisions related to borrowing and debt management.
Regulatory Authorities: Federal and state regulatory authorities, such as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and state-specific agencies, oversee and regulate the issuance of bonds to ensure compliance with securities laws and financial regulations.

These organizations collectively contribute to the process of issuing, selling, and managing school and university bonds in the United States, allowing educational institutions to raise the necessary funds for their capital projects and operations. The specific entities involved may vary depending on the size and location of the educational institution and the nature of the bond issuance.

Bond issuances affect local property values.

Lights Out

Donor Control & Influence

July 30, 2025

mike@standardsmichigan.com

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“The Architect’s Dream” 1840 Thomas Cole

In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, charitable donations to U.S. colleges and universities amounted to $58 billion. This figure represents a slight decline of 2.5% from the previous year’s record of $59.5 billion, but it remains the second-highest level of donations in history (CASE) (Inside Higher Ed). This figure includes money donated for new building projects and other capital expenses.

Some benefactors contribute to the lifecycle upkeep of buildings they help fund. These contributions often come in the form of endowed funds specifically designated for the maintenance, repair, and renovation of facilities. Such endowments are crucial as they provide a continuous source of funding to ensure that buildings remain functional and in good condition over time.

CASE Global Reporting Standards

Charitable giving to colleges and universities in the U.S. is governed by a range of standards and best practices designed to ensure transparency, accountability, and effectiveness. These standards help donors, institutions, and the public understand and manage the complexities of philanthropic contributions. Key standards include:

Donor Intent and Restrictions:
- Documentation: Donor intent should be clearly documented in gift agreements or endowment contracts to ensure funds are used as intended.
- Restrictions: Restrictions on the use of funds must be explicitly stated and agreed upon by both the donor and the institution. These can include specific programs, scholarships, research, or infrastructure projects.
Transparency and Reporting:
- Annual Reports: Institutions should provide detailed annual reports on how donated funds are being utilized, including breakdowns of expenditures and outcomes.
- Stewardship Reports: For major gifts or endowments, institutions often provide personalized stewardship reports to donors, detailing the impact of their contributions.
Governance and Oversight:
- Board Oversight: Boards of trustees or equivalent governing bodies should oversee fundraising practices and the management of donated funds.
- Audit and Compliance: Regular audits and compliance checks should be conducted to ensure adherence to donor restrictions and institutional policies.
Ethical Fundraising Practices:
- Professional Standards: Fundraisers and development officers should adhere to ethical standards set by professional organizations such as the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
- Confidentiality and Respect: Institutions must respect donor confidentiality and handle all interactions with integrity and respect.
Tax and Legal Considerations:
- IRS Regulations: Donations must comply with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations to qualify for tax deductions. This includes proper documentation of gifts and adherence to rules regarding charitable contributions.
- 501(c)(3) Status: Colleges and universities must maintain their 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, which requires adherence to various federal and state laws governing charitable organizations.
Gift Acceptance Policies:
- Policy Framework: Institutions should have clear gift acceptance policies outlining the types of gifts they can accept, including cash, securities, real estate, and in-kind contributions.
- Review and Approval: Complex or potentially problematic gifts should be reviewed by a gift acceptance committee or similar body to assess risks and alignment with institutional priorities.
Endowment Management:
- Spending Policies: Endowments should have spending policies that balance the need for current income with the preservation of principal to ensure long-term sustainability.
- Investment Strategies: Institutions should adopt prudent investment strategies for their endowments, often guided by the principles of the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (UPMIFA).
Recognition and Acknowledgment:
- Donor Recognition: Institutions should have systems in place to appropriately recognize and thank donors, which can include naming opportunities, public acknowledgments, and donor recognition societies.
- Acknowledgment Letters: Prompt and accurate acknowledgment letters should be sent to donors, including the necessary information for tax purposes.

By adhering to these standards, colleges and universities can effectively manage charitable contributions, ensuring that donor intent is honored, funds are used appropriately, and the institution maintains trust and credibility with its supporters and the broader public.

“Ten Books on Architecture” 30-20 B.C | Vitruvius

No single charitable organization claims hegemony over all others in the realm of charitable giving to U.S. universities but there are a others in the domain.

Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP):
- Role: AFP is a professional association that supports fundraisers through education, training, and advocacy. It serves a wide range of nonprofit sectors, including higher education.
- Ethical Standards: AFP’s Code of Ethical Standards and Donor Bill of Rights are widely recognized and adopted by fundraising professionals in higher education.
National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO):
- Role: NACUBO represents chief business and financial officers through advocacy, professional development, and research.
- Financial Management: It provides guidance on the financial management of gifts, endowments, and other resources critical to higher education institutions.
Council on Foundations:
- Role: This membership organization supports grantmaking foundations in the U.S., including those that fund higher education.
- Philanthropic Guidance: It offers legal resources, best practices, and networking opportunities for foundations that support colleges and universities.
Charity Navigator and Guidestar (Candid):
- Role: These organizations evaluate and rate nonprofits, including higher education institutions, based on their financial health, accountability, and transparency.
- Public Accountability: By providing ratings and financial data, they help donors make informed decisions about their contributions to colleges and universities.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS):
- Role: As the federal tax authority, the IRS oversees the tax-exempt status of educational institutions and enforces compliance with laws governing charitable contributions.
- Regulations: The IRS provides guidelines and requirements for tax-deductible donations, ensuring legal compliance in charitable giving.

Educational Settlement Finance

July 30, 2025

mike@standardsmichigan.com

D1, Election Day, November 1

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Giovanni Paolo Panini, An architectural capriccio with figures among Roman ruins

The post-pandemic #WiseCampus transformation requires significant capital to meet the sustainability goals of its leadership. Campuses are cities-within-cities and are, to a fair degree, financed in a similar fashion. Tax-free bonds are an effective instrument for school districts, colleges and universities — and the host community in which they are nested — for raising capital for infrastructure projects while also providing investors with, say $10,000 to $100,000, to allocate toward a tax-free dividend income stream that produces a return in the range of 2 to 8 percent annually.

An aging population may be receptive to investment opportunities that protect their retirement savings from taxation.

Curious about the municipal bond market? Check out the MSRB’s new resource “Municipal Market Basics” to start your journey through the MSRB’s newly updated Education Center: https://t.co/BIMBxWpKGk https://t.co/PLhtaXzdD9 pic.twitter.com/FVARkkYZAD

— MSRB (@MSRB_News) November 28, 2023

Once a month, we walk through the prospectuses of one or two bond offerings of school districts, colleges and universities and examine offering specifics regarding infrastructure construction, operations and maintenance. We pay particular attention to details regarding “continuing operations”. Somehow the education industry has to pay for its green agenda. See our CALENDAR for the next Finance colloquium; open to everyone.

The interactive map provided by Electronic Municipal Market Access identifies state-by-state listings of tax-free bonds that contribute to the construction and operation of education facilities; some of which involved university-affiliated medical research and healthcare delivery enterprises.

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR INTERACTIVE MAP

If you need help cutting through this list please feel free to click in any day at 11 AM Eastern time. Use the login credentials at the upper right of our hope page. We collaborate with subject matter experts at Municipal Analytics and UBS.

Issue: [Various]

Category: Administration & Management, Finance, #SmartCampus

Colleagues: Mike Anthony, John Kaczor, Liberty Ziegahn

*We see the pandemic as a driver for a step-reduction in cost in all dimensions of education communities. We coined the term with a hashtag about two years ago.

*College and university infrastructure projects are classified with public school districts under the rubric “municipal bonds” at the moment. CLICK HERE for more information.

Good question. pic.twitter.com/FtW0eSaQs7

— Thomas Sowell Quotes (@ThomasSowell) January 27, 2025

More:

Duke Law Review: Don’t ‘Screw Joe the Plummer’: The Sausage-Making of Financial Reform

An Expanded Study of School Bond Elections in Michigan

An Expanded Study of School Bond Elections in Michigan

July 30, 2025

mike@standardsmichigan.com

Evergreen, Michigan

No Comments

Gallery: School Bond Referenda

As of January 2022, there were a few municipalities in the United States that allowed non-citizens to vote in local elections, but no entire states. These municipalities included:

San Francisco, California: Non-citizens are allowed to vote in school board elections.
Chicago, Illinois: Non-citizens are allowed to vote in school board elections.
Takoma Park, Maryland: Non-citizens are allowed to vote in local elections.

It’s worth noting that these policies may change over time as local governments make decisions regarding voting rights. For the most up-to-date information, it’s best to consult the specific laws and regulations of each municipality or state.

“Election Day, 1944” | Norman Rockwell for the Saturday Evening Post

School bond elections — either at county or district level — are processes through which communities vote to authorize the issuance of bonds to fund various projects and improvements in their local school districts. The elections determine the quality of educational settlements –new school buildings, renovating existing facilities, upgrading technology, and improving safety measures. The outcomes of these elections directly affect the quality of education and learning environments for students within the county. Successful bond measures can stimulate economic growth by creating jobs and attracting families to the area.

Community involvement and voter turnout are essential in determining the allocation of resources and shaping the quality of life for its citizens. In recent years, however, voter ambivalence about the education “industry” in general, the rise of home schooling and other cultural factors, complicate choices presented to voters.

Financial Services

Gallery: School Bond Referenda

July 30, 2025

mike@standardsmichigan.com

August, Election Day, March, November

No Comments

In terms of total spend, the US elementary and secondary school industry is about twice the size of the higher education industry according to IBISWorld. About $100 billion is in play every year for both (which we cover during our Ædificare colloquia); with higher education spending only half of what elementary and secondary school systems spend on facilities.

Note that some districts are including construction for faculty housing.

Our focus remains on applying global standard to create educational settlements that are safer, simpler, lower-cost and longer-lasting — not on the hurly-burly of local school bond elections. We recommend consulting the coverage in American School & University for more detailed and more timely information.

The Case Against Income Tax Exemption for Nonprofits

July 30, 2025

mike@standardsmichigan.com

New York

No Comments

Electrical Power Reliability

July 29, 2025

mike@standardsmichigan.com

No Comments

P(A)

Today at the usual hour we introduce the project which will require harvesting power reliability statistics from any and all educational settlements willing to share their data. As the links before demonstrate, we have worked in this domain for many years. Join us with the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.

Types of Probability Distribution & Representative Calculation

SDC3006_Power_System_Reliability_WG_Minutes_2024-05-20

WG Meeting Agenda August 2024_final

Indiana University Internet Archive: “A Mathematical Theory of Reliability” by Richard E. Barlow and Frank Proschan (1965)

This paper introduced the concept of reliability theory and established a mathematical framework for analyzing system reliability in terms of lumped parameters. It defined important concepts such as coherent systems, minimal cut sets, and minimal path sets, which are still widely used in reliability engineering.

“Railroad Sunset” | Edward Hopper

We are tooling up to update the failure rate tables of IEEE 493 Design of Reliable Industrial and Commercial Power Systems; collaborating with project leaders but contributing to an essential part of the data design engineers use for scaling their power system designs. The project is in its early stages. We are formulating approaches about how to gather data for assemble a statistically significant data set.

Today at the usual hour we introduce the project which will require harvesting power reliability statistics from any and all educational settlements willing to share their data. As the links before demonstrate, we have worked in this domain for many years.

Join us with the login credentials at the upper right of our home page.

2017 National Electrical Code § 110.5

2028 National Electrical Safety Code

Reliability Analysis for Power to Fire Pumps

Interoperability of Distributed Energy Resources

“On the Mathematical Theory of Risk and Some Problems in Distribution-Free Statistics” by Frank Proschan (1963): This paper introduced the concept of increasing failure rate (IFR) and decreasing failure rate (DFR) distributions, which are crucial in reliability modeling and analysis.

“Reliability Models for Multiple Failures in Redundant Systems” by John F. Meyer (1965): This paper addressed the problem of reliability analysis for redundant systems, which are systems with multiple components designed to provide backup in case of failure.

“Reliability of Systems in Series and in Parallel” by A. T. Bharucha-Reid (1960): This work analyzed the reliability of systems composed of components arranged in series and parallel configurations, which are fundamental building blocks of more complex systems.

“A Stochastic Model for the Reliability of Modular Software Systems” by John E. Gaffney, Jr. and Thomas A. Dueck (1980): This paper introduced one of the earliest models for software reliability, extending the concepts of reliability theory to the field of software engineering.

“Redundancy Techniques for Computing Systems” by John von Neumann (1956): This report by the pioneering computer scientist John von Neumann explored the use of redundancy techniques, such as triple modular redundancy, to improve the reliability of computing systems.