Lost opportunities: Modeling commercial building energy code adoption in the United States

► Model the adoption of commercial building energy codes from 1977-2006 in the US. ► Little political influence over historical building energy code adoption. ► High capacity states are over 60 percent more likely than low capacity states to adopt codes. ► Wealthier states are more likely to adopt commercial codes. ► Access to capital and technical assistance is critical to increase code adoption.