1. The Legislature hereby finds and declares:
a. It is the public policy of this State to encourage and facilitate the construction of energy-efficient buildings which are designed and built to reduce overall energy demand.
b. While energy-efficient buildings may cost more to construct, the payback period to recoup the added investment is only a few years.
c. Energy savings can be most fully realized when incorporated into new construction from the beginning.
d. It is therefore necessary and appropriate that the Commissioner of Community Affairs, in consultation with the Board of Public Utilities, adopt energy-efficient building codes that may exceed the requirements of national model codes.