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Reduce emissions from homes and commercial buildings through electrification, reduced reliance on fossil fuels, energy efficiency, building codes, and appliance standards.

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289 resources

Example Local Governments

Sarasota County FL’s Energy Economic Zone Program

Sarasota County has established an Energy Economic Zone Program that allows developers of commercial property to receive different tax rebates and other financial incentives when they comply with ener...
Resource States and State Governments

RMI report, State Energy Policy in a Land of New Federal Opportunity

The Rocky Mountain Institute offers this 2024 guide to new and expanded federal funding programs, and highlights opportunities for states to pass and pay for clean energy policies. The report highligh...
Example States and State Governments

Rhode Island’s IECC 2024 Adoption

In August 2023, Rhode Island enacted legislation requiring the adoption of the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) for new residential and commercial buildings once the codes are finali...
Example Local Governments

Proposed NYC Law Capping Portland Cement Content in Concrete

NYC Council Member Constantinides proposed a Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York and the New York city building code, setting a maximum for Portland cement content in co...
Example Local Governments

Boulder’s Energy Conservation Code

Under Boulder’s Energy Conservation Code, commercial buildings must achieve energy performance significantly exceeding national code baselines, using predictive computer modeling to demonstrate energy...
Example Local Governments

Eugene OR Gas Ban

In February, 2023, Eugene Oregon voted to become the first city in Oregon to ban the use of natural gas in new construction.
Example States and State Governments

Minnesota Sustainable Buildings 2030 Training Programs

As part of Minnesota’s Sustainable Buildings 2030 standards, the legislature authorized $500,000 annually to the Center for Sustainable Building Research for, among other tasks, the “development and d...
Example Local Governments

Cupertino’s Electrification Ordinance

The City of Cupertino adopted an electrification ordinance in late 2019 to align with the city’s climate action plan to reduce carbon emissions 83% by 2050. It applies to residential and commercial ne...
Example Local Governments

Salt Lake City Energy Benchmarking & Transparency Ordinance

Salt Lake City’s Energy Benchmarking and Transparency Ordinance requires all commercial buildings above 25,000 sf to benchmark and report their energy consumption. Beginning in 2020, Salt Lake City wi...
Resource Local Governments

Building Electrification Initiative

The Building Electrification Initiative is a project of The Innovation Network for Communities, a nonprofit organizing communities to respond to climate change. The BEI supports pilot strategies to sc...
Example Local Governments

Lancaster CA’s building code

Lancaster’s building code (2017) requires that new buildings be outfitted with a solar energy system. New single-family homes must have solar energy systems that can produce two watts of power for eve...
Example States and State Governments

Zero-Emission Residential Buildings Memorandum of Understanding

In January, 2024, nine states signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) establishing the goal that 65 percent of all new residential HVAC and hot water heating systems use electric heat pumps by 2030...
Resource States and State Governments

Missouri Home Improvement Tax Deduction

In July 2008 Missouri enacted legislation (codified at Mo. R.S. 143.121(8)) allowing homeowners to take an income tax deduction (up to $1000, or $2000 for couples) of the cost of home energy audits an...
Resource States and State Governments

2018 International Energy Efficiency Code

The 2018 International Energy Efficiency Code from the International Code Council is a comprehensive energy conservation code that establishes minimum regulations for energy-efficient buildings using ...
Example Local Governments

Boston’s LEED Requirements

Boston’s Zoning Code Article 37 (2007) requires that any project that is subject to Large Project Review (generally 50,000 sf+, or smaller projects located near Boston Harbor) must be LEED certifiable...
Resource Local Governments

ACEEE Report, Programs to Promote Zero-Energy New Homes and Buildings

ACEEE’s September 2020 brief, Programs to Promote Zero-Energy New Homes and Buildings, surveys 20 different zero-energy programs across the country, and discusses these programs and the push to constr...
Example Local Governments

Brookline’s new gas hookup ban

In November 2019, Brookline MA approved a bylaw that prohibits the installation of oil and gas heating systems in new construction beginning in 2021. It makes an exception for gas stoves. In July 2020...
Resource Local Governments

Model Ordinance Language and Decision Framework for Improving the Performance of Existing Buildings

This 2018 model law presents sample language that can be used by jurisdictions interested in drafting a comprehensive existing building performance policy that encompasses provisions for benchmarking,...
Example States and State Governments

New Mexico Low Income Energy Efficiency Grant Program

In February 2022, New Mexico enacted a law that creates a grant program to implement energy efficiency measures in low-income households. HB 037 authorizes a county, municipality, Indian nation, tribe...
Example Local Governments

Atlanta’s Benchmarking and Auditing Requirements

Atlanta’s Code of Ordinances (2016) requires both energy benchmarking and auditing. Benchmarking is required for city-owned buildings over 10,000 sf or certain classes of buildings over 25,000 sf. The...
Example States and State Governments

Rhode Island Zero Energy Ready Stretch Code

Rhode Island adopted a stretch code to encourage the construction of Zero-Energy Ready Homes (ZERH). ZERH certified homes are intended to be designed and constructed to a standard that allows them to ...
Example States and State Governments

Virginia EV-Ready Public Building Code

Virginia adopted EV-Ready building standards for new county, city, town, or school buildings larger than 5,000 square feet.
Example Local Governments

Executive Order on Comprehensive Energy Management of Salt Lake City Facilities

In addition to benchmarking requirements, the Comprehensive Energy Management of Salt Lake City Facilities Executive Order (2015) requires further energy audits, retrocommissioning, building operator ...
Resource Congress

The Inflation Reduction Act

New: The Sabin Center for Climate Change Law and Environmental Defense Fund are announcing the launch of an additional resource on the Inflation Reduction Act Tracker website: the IRA litigation case ...
Resource States and State Governments

Sustainable Development Code

The Sustainable Development Code project is the work of interdisciplinary research team including law schools and practitioners from across the country. The SDC provides concrete ways for local govern...
Example States and State Governments

Washington’s State Energy Benchmark Law

In addition to benchmarking requirements for private buildings, Washington’s State Energy Benchmark Law (2009) put in place strict requirements for public buildings, including mandatory investment-gra...
Example Foreign

Vancouver Zero Emissions Buildings plan

Vancouver has published a Zero Emissions Buildings plan (2016) aiming to achieve zero emissions on all new construction by 2030. It empowers the city to require green buildings in any rezoning project...
Example States and State Governments

Colorado’s HB 1286 (2021)

This bill requires owners of certain large buildings to collect and report to the Colorado energy office the covered building’s energy use. On or before June 1, 2027, a covered building owner demonstr...
Resource States and State Governments

California Building Electrification and Gas Market Reports

E3’s 2019 study, Residential Building Electrification in California, evaluates the consumer economics, greenhouse gas savings and grid impacts of electrification in residential low-rise buildings acro...
Resource Executive Branch

Los Angeles’ Digital Twin

Cityzenith, a Chicago-based digital twin platform, is partnering with the Los Angeles branch of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Challenge to help construct a digital twin, or virtual ...
Example States and State Governments

Massachusetts Gas Transition Order

In December 2023, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities issued an order to move utilities away from natural gas. The regulatory strategy prohibits gas utilities from charging customers for ...
Example States and State Governments

New Mexico Bill on Solar Offers for New Construction

This 2023 New Mexico bill would require home builders to offer buyers installed solar in new construction.
Resource States and State Governments

ACEEE Report, Programs to Electrify Space Heating in Homes and Buildings

This 2020 report from ACEEE provides an updated review of state and local electrification programs, focusing on space heating, which is the largest use of fossil fuels in buildings. It provides progra...
Example Public Utilities

California’s Wildfire and Natural Disaster Resiliency Rebuild Program

In November 2021, California’s Public Utility Commission adopted a statewide Wildfire and Natural Disaster Resiliency Rebuild Program, known as the “WNDRR Program,” to provide incentives to help homeo...
Example Local Governments

Bonita Springs’ Green Building Program

Bonita Springs’ Green Building Program (2012) incorporates the LEED Program for Homes standards, the current Green Home Designation, and the current Energy Start Certified New Home requirements, as we...
Example Public Utilities

California’s Solar Roof Mandate

In 2018, California gave final approval to updated building codes that require all new homes to come with solar attached. Multifamily units below three stories must also adhere to the mandate. The Cal...
MCLI Resource

LPDD Top Tens: New Buildings

We invite you to check out our latest posting, LPDD Top 10 - New Buildings. modelclimatelaws.org is an extraordinarily vast database, spanning more than 2,000 model laws, best practices, and policy do...
Resource Local Governments

Report, Green Roof and Wall Policy in North America

This 2019 report from GreenRoofs.org outlines regulations, incentives, and best practices for encouraging green roofs in localities.
Resource States and State Governments

California Embodied Carbon Building Code

In August 2023, the California Building Standards Commission approved amendments to the state’s green building code, requiring developers to limit the amount of carbon “embodied” in new or remodeled l...
Resource Executive Branch

ACEEE Study on Federal Home Efficiency Requirements

In May 2022, ACEEE released a report analyzing the impacts of updating federally efficiency requirements for new homes receiving federally-backed mortgages or qualifying for federal programs. Congress...
Example Local Governments

Oakland Natural Gas Ban

In December 2020, Oakland approved measures to prohibit natural gas infrastructure in newly constructed buildings. The unanimously-passed measure will apply to all residential and commercial construct...
Resource States and State Governments

Model Language for Outcome-Based Energy Codes

New Building Institute provides draft regulatory language for jurisdictions to incorporate outcome-based compliance metrics into current energy codes.
Example Local Governments

Boulder’s Comfort365 Program

Boulder’s Comfort365 program combines education and outreach, active marketing, and financial incentives to drive heat pump adoption. The City of Boulder and Boulder County spearheaded the program, pr...
Resource Private Entities

Energy Efficiency Model Clauses for Design and Build Contracts

The Chancery Lane Project, a collaborative effort of UK lawyers to develop new contracts and model laws to help fight climate change, has published model clauses for Design and Build Contracts to make...
Example Local Governments

Santa Monica’s 2020 Energy Reach Code

On September 10, 2019, Santa Monica City Council adopted the newly proposed Santa Monica Reach Code. The amendments or “Reach Codes” are designed to encourage low-cost all-electric new construction of...
Resource States and State Governments

ACEEE Report, Analyzing State Energy Code Update Benefits

As a result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Department of Energy is has announced or should soon announce substantial funding opportunities for st...
Example Local Governments

Boulder Building Performance Ordinance

The Boulder Building Performance Ordinance (2015) requires owners of commercial and industrial buildings to: annually rate and report the energy use of their buildings; perform periodic energy assessm...
Example States and State Governments

Maryland’s Low-Income Carveout in Efficiency Funding

In April 2022, both houses of the Maryland legislature passed legislation that would steer energy efficiency funding more towards low-income residents. The existing EmPOWER Maryland program requires i...
Example Local Governments

Bay Area Ban on New Gas Water Heaters and Furnaces

In March 2023, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District board banned the sale of gas water heaters in the Bay Area in 2027, and new gas furnaces in 2029. Officials emphasized the rules only apply ...
Example Local Governments

Devens MA’s Policy for Construction of Vegetated Roofs

Devens, MA’s Industrial Performance Standards for Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Projects state that industrial sources that require an air quality permit must have a vegetated roof that covers at least 40...
Resource Congress

Report, Building electrification: Steps to start now amid an uncertain future

This 2021 report from ICF explores topics related to building electrification and how the existing energy landscape in different jurisdictions presents a variegated set of policy choices. Topics cover...
Example Local Governments

Hayward Natural Gas Ban

Hayward, CA’s new electric reach code requires all new residential buildings to be all-electric, while nonresidential and high-rise residential buildings are electric preferred. Mixed-fuel buildings m...
Example Local Governments

Concord MA Cluster Zoning

Amherst MA’s cluster zoning provisions allows cluster developments reduced minimum lot sizes and requires fifty percent of land be perpetually maintained as open space for agriculture, parks, recreati...
Example States and State Governments

California’s Gas Transition Pilot Projects Law

California’s SB 1221 will allow some neighborhoods in need of new gas lines to go all-electric instead — with new electric appliances provided at no cost to residents. The new law will spur up to 30 n...
Example Local Governments

2022 Chicago Energy Transformation Code

In September 2022, the Chicago City Councilpassed the 2022 Chicago Energy Transformation Code, which requires that new buildings are constructed in alignment with stronger energy efficiency and electr...
Example Local Governments

Los Angeles Residential Cool Roof Ordinance

In 2013, Los Angeles made updates to its green building code that include a reflectivity requirement for new and replaced residential roofs. The ordinance requires low-slope roofs to have a minimum th...
Example Local Governments

DC’s Green Building Act and Construction Codes

The District of Columbia’s Green Building Act (2006) required green building certification in both the public and private sector. The District’s Construction Codes (2013) expanded to cover projects be...
Example States and State Governments

California Building Electrification Awards and Resources

This legislation would require the California Energy Commission to publish guidance and best practices to help building owners, the construction industry, and local governments overcome barriers to el...
Resource States and State Governments

Washington State Heat Pump Requirement In New Construction

Per a November 2022 ruling from the Washington State Building Code Council, the state will require electric heat pumps in all newly built homes beginning in July 2023. The revised building codes will ...
Example Local Governments

Philadelphia Cool Roof Law

This 2010 bill requires cool roofs on new commercial low-sloped buildings.
Resource Executive Branch

National Building Performance Standard Coalition

The National Building Performance Standards Coalition comprises a nationwide group of state and local governments that have committed to inclusively design and implement building performance policies ...
Example Local Governments

Seattle’s Building Emissions Performance Standard

Under Seattle’s BEPS, signed into law in December 2023, all existing commercial and multifamily residential buildings over 20,000 square feet will need to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Compliance ...
Resource Local Governments

Seattle Ban on Natural Gas Heating in New Construction

In December 2020, Seattle announced new steps to further electrify buildings using clean energy and ban fossil fuels for most building use. By updating its energy code, the City aims to ban the use of...
Resource Public Utilities

California Subsidy Phaseout for Gas Line Extensions

In September 2022, the California Public Utilities Commission unanimously voted to entirely eliminate ratepayer subsidies for the extension of new gas lines amid a statewide push to decarbonize the bu...
Example Local Governments

Gold Beach OR Tiny Home Zoning

Gold Beach OR Ordinance No. 660 permits the use of a tiny home as a separate single-family dwelling in an existing residential zone, requiring a total square footage of between 200 and 600, on the sam...
Example Local Governments

Boston’s Ban on Fossil Fuels in New City Buildings

In July 2023, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu signed an executive order eliminating fossil fuel use in new municipal building constructions and renovations. The order bans new municipal buildings from using ...
Resource Private Entities

Report, The Impact of Fossil Fuels in Buildings

The Rocky Mountain Institute’s 2019 report, The Impact of Fossil Fuels in Buildings, offers a crash course in direct building emissions, showing where they come from and how they fit into the overall ...
Example Local Governments

DC’s Building Energy Performance Standard (2018)

DC’s Building Energy Performance Standards were set forth in Title III of the Clean Energy DC Omnibus Act of 2018. The Act states that, starting in 2021, owners of buildings over 50,000 square feet th...
Example Local Governments

Ann Arbor’s Zoning for Accessory Dwelling Units

Ann Arbor, MI approved zoning amendments that greatly relaxed the requisite standards for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). ADUs can now be designed to match either a single-family residence or a detac...
Resource States and State Governments

Regional Energy Efficiency Organizations

The US DOE supports Regional Energy Efficiency Organizations to operate in six regional chapters to promote energy code adoption, implementation and evaluation.
Resource Local Governments

Report, A Practical Guide to Cool Roofs and Cool Pavements

This 2012 report from the Global Cool Cities Alliance was developed for a range of audiences to help speed a transition to cool roofs and pavements. The guide covers the climate benefits of cool roofs...
Resource Local Governments

Low Carbon Concrete Code Template Language (California-Specific)

This template Low Carbon Concrete Code Language was made available through StopWaste.org, which has documented resources and efforts to develop Low Carbon Concrete codes generally, particularly the co...
Example States and State Governments

Colorado’s Executive Order D 2015-013

Colorado’s Executive Order D 2015-013 (2015) directs the Greening Government Leadership Council to work with all executive state agencies and departments to reduce weather normalized energy consumptio...
Example Local Governments

Santa Rosa All-Electric Reach Code

In November 2019, the City of Santa Rosa CA passed a reach code that would require all new residential construction of 3-stories and below to be all electric.
Example States and State Governments

Massachusetts’ Solar Mandate Bill for New Construction

This 2023 Massachusetts bill would require that detached one- and two-family dwellings must have a solar energy system producing at least 80 percent of the estimated average annual electricity use of ...
Example Local Governments

Austin’s Energy Conservation and Disclosure Ordinance

In addition to audit requirements, Austin’s Energy Conservation and Disclosure Ordinance (2008) requires multifamily properties that use 150%+ of average energy use for similar properties to conduct r...
Resource States and State Governments

RAP Report, Regulatory Solutions for Building Decarbonization

RAP’s 2020 report, Regulatory Solutions for Building Decarbonization: Tools for Commissions and Other Government Agencies, focuses on electrification as the central decarbonization solution: replacing...
Example States and State Governments

Washington’s Heat Pump Requirement for New Commercial Buildings

In April, 2022, Washington’s Building Code Council voted 11–3 to restrict the use of gas in new office complexes, apartment towers and other large facilities starting in July 2023. Under the revised c...
Example Local Governments

Berkeley’s Energy Savings Ordinance (No. 7397)

Berkeley’s Energy Savings Ordinance (No. 7397)(2015) requires energy assessments at time of sale for medium, small, and single family buildings, and will phase-in all buildings by building size and ye...
Example Local Governments

Boston’s Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance

Boston’s Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance (2013) requires that buildings report energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and water use to the city using Portfolio Manager (or an equival...
Resource Executive Branch

GSA’s Sustainable Facilities Tool

The General Service Administration’s Sustainable Facilities Tool offers information and resources on transitioning to net zero buildings.
Example States and State Governments

Massachusetts’ Act to Advance Clean Energy (2018)

In 2018, Massachusetts enacted An Act to Advance Clean Energy, which expanded the scope of electric energy efficiency to include measures designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the use of...
Example Local Governments

New York City’s Climate Mobilization Act (2019)

New York City’s Climate Mobilization Act is an umbrella term for a set of laws, including Local Laws 92 and 94 (established through Int. 0276 and Int. 1032), which require certain existing building ro...
Example Local Governments

Sebastopol’s Solar Energy Requirements

Sebastopol’s City Code (2018) requires new commercial or residential buildings, and specific alterations, to incorporate solar energy of either 2 watts per square foot, or offsetting 75% of the annual...
Example States and State Governments

Hawaii DOT ESPC

The Hawaii Dept. of Transportation completed a $245M contract for deep energy efficiency retrofits, the largest single-state ESPC in the US, with Johnson Controls. The project will target and generate...
Example States and State Governments

Colorado’s Green Rebuilding Policy

In May, Colorado enacted a law to provide finance assistance for rebuilding homes and commercial buildings after a natural disaster with energy efficient heat pumps, energy storage, renewable energy g...
Resource States and State Governments

US Green Building Council Standards

The US Green Building Council oversees the promulgation of LEED standards and credentialing. They have prepared a guide for advancing local green building policies that addresses how LEED standards fu...
Example Local Governments

St. Louis’ Building Energy Performance Standard (2020)

St. Louis’ BEPS will require large commercial, multi-family, institutional, and municipal buildings (50,000 sq. ft. and above) to reduce energy use in order to meet an energy performance standard by M...
Resource States and State Governments

California Order Eliminating Subsidies for Electric Extensions to Mixed-Fuel Construction

In December 2023, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) followed up on a previous ruling eliminating subsidies for natural gas line extensions for all newly constructed mixed-fuel building...
Resource Local Governments

Report, The Legal Dynamics of Local Limits on Natural Gas Use in Buildings

This June 2020 report from Harvard’s Environmental and Energy Law Program explores recent actions to electrify buildings, breaking down the legal mechanics of local laws and the role of state laws in ...
Example States and State Governments

Maryland’s Climate Solutions Now Act (2022)

In March 2022, both houses of the Maryland legislature passed the Climate Solutions Now Act, which calls for Maryland to reduce GHG emissions by 60% (compared to a 2006 baseline) by 2031 and for the M...
Example Local Governments

San Jose’s Energy and Water Building Performance Ordinance

In addition to benchmarking requirements, San Jose’s Energy and Water Building Performance Ordinance (2018) requires auditing for buildings that do not meet performance standards (including an Energy ...
Example Local Governments

San Jose’s building electrification reach code

San Jose’s building electrification reach code encourages all-electric construction by requiring any new building with gas to achieve higher energy-efficiency savings (Cal Green Tier 1 compliance) and...
Example Local Governments

Fresno CA’s Zoning for Tiny Homes and Accessory Dwelling Units

The Fresno, California zoning code permits use and construction of tiny homes as permanent dwellings and provides for second dwelling units, backyard cottages, and accessory living quarters as a speci...
Example States and State Governments

Washington’s Clean Buildings Act (2019)

Washington’s Clean Buildings Act (2019) requires the State Commerce Department to set a state energy performance standard target (measured in Energy Use Intensity, or EUI) for each building type by 20...
Example Local Governments

D.C.’s Healthy Homes and Residential Electrification Amendment Act

In April 2024, the DC Council approved a Healthy Homes and Residential Electrification Amendment Act, which sets DC on a course to replace fossil-fuel powered appliances and home heat with electric ap...
Example Local Governments

Bonita Springs’ Green Building Program

Bonita Springs’ Green Building Program (2012) incorporates the LEED Program for Homes standards, the current Green Home Designation, and the current Energy Start Certified New Home requirements, as we...
MCLI Resource

LPDD Top Tens: Existing Buildings

For those in search of a shortcut through the vast LPDD database, we're proud to highlight a subset of our most useful pathways for state and local government leaders on existing buildings.
Example Public Utilities

SMUD Building Electrification Incentives

The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), an electric-only utility, is implementing a portfolio of programs aimed at zeroing out its carbon footprint by eliminating natural gas from buildings ...
Example States and State Governments

Maine’s LD 1766

Maine’s LD 1766 “An Act To Transform Maine’s Heat Pump Market To Advance Economic Security and Climate Objectives,” establishes the Heating Fuels Efficiency and Weatherization Fund, which has the goal...
Example Public Utilities

Oregon Phasing Out Natural Gas Extension Subsidies

Starting in November, 2024, Oregon’s largest gas utility, NW Natural, will be required to phase out the subsidy for helping new customers connect to the utility, according to a Public Utility Commissi...
Example States and State Governments

Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank’s Efficient Buildings Fund

The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank’s Efficient Buildings Fund provides attractive, long-term financing to municipalities and quasi-public agencies to finance energy retrofits in public buildings tha...
Example Local Governments

Evanston IL Healthy Buildings Ordinance

The City of Evanston, Illinois, is the first government to pass a Building Performance Standard in 2025. The HBO will cover commercial and multifamily buildings over 20,000 square feet, condominiums o...
Resource Local Governments

New Buildings Institute Zero Net Energy Building Action Plan

New Buildings Institute has developed action paths for jurisdictions to support a long term commitment to Zero Net Energy (ZNE) Buildings.
Resource Local Governments

Building Electrification Primer for City-Utility Coordination

The Building Electrification Primer for City-Utility Coordination was written to support cities in cultivating effective partnerships with utilities to accelerate the transition to building electrific...
Example States and State Governments

Colorado Clean Heat Legislation

This law requires each Gas Distribution Utility (GDU) to file a clean heat plan with the PUC. A plan must demonstrate how the GDU will use clean heat resources to meet clean heat targets established b...
Example States and State Governments

Hawaii’s SB 644

Hawaii’s SB 644 (2009) requires solar water-heating (SWH) systems to be installed on all single-family new home construction, with a few exceptions. The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission was asked to...
Example Local Governments

Crested Butte’s Building Codes Update

In August 2022, Crested Butte became the first municipality in Colorado to require that new residential and commercial construction be all electric, not utilizing natural gas for heating, hot water he...
Resource Private Entities

RMI Report, The Economics of Electrifying Buildings: Medium-Size Commercial Retrofits

Commercial buildings generate about 16 percent of energy-related CO2 emissions in the United States and about half of the total emissions from the building sector. Furthermore, direct fossil fuel comb...
Resource States and State Governments

Massachusetts Proposed Act Driving Climate Policy Forward

In March, 2022, the Massachusetts Senate unveiled a sweeping climate bill aimed at helping the state meet its net-zero greenhouse gas emissions goal by 2050, which had been previously stipulated in 20...
Example States and State Governments

Illinois’ Climate Hubs Legislation

In May 2022, Illinois passed legislation establishing a grant program for Climate Works Hubs. These Hubs shall recruit, prescreen, and provide preapprenticeship training related to opportunities and c...
Example States and State Governments

Delaware’s Solar Ready Buildings Law

Delaware’s HB 402, signed in September 2024, requires new schools and state buildings over 50,000 square feet to meet certain requirements to ensure that the building’s roof is able to support solar e...
Example Public Utilities

SMUD’s Avoided Carbon Metric for Efficiency

Sacramento Municipal Utility District, the publicly owned utility in California’s capital city, has changed its energy-efficiency metric from avoided electricity consumption to avoided carbon dioxide ...
Resource Local Governments

Report, City Policy Framework for Dramatically Reducing Embodied Carbon

This 2020 policy framework from the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance is intended for cities and other government bodies to develop a strategy, action plan and policies they can adopt to dramatically red...
Resource Executive Branch

DOE’s Zero Energy Ready Home Standard

The Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Home Standard lays out tools and benchmarks by which to build homes “so energy efficient, that a renewable energy system can offset all or most of [their] ...
Resource States and State Governments

Institute for Market Transformation

The Institute for Market Transformation is a Washington, DC think tank that works to catalyze widespread and sustained demand for high-performing buildings. They work in partnership with businesses, p...
Resource States and State Governments

Massachusetts’ Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind

In August 2022, Massachusetts enacted an “Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind,” which builds on 2019 legislation and helps clarify how the state will meet its climate targets. Key provisions of...
Resource States and State Governments

ACEEE Report, Mandating Building Performance Standards

ACEEE’s 2020 report, Mandatory Building Performance Standards: A Key Policy for Achieving Climate Goals, makes the argument that policymakers need to adopt building performance standards to compel ene...
Resource States and State Governments

Oregon’s Executive Order 17-20

Oregon’s Executive Order 17-20 calls for carbon neutral operations in new state buildings permitted after 2022, compliance with USDOE’s Zero Energy Ready standard on new residential construction by 20...
Example States and State Governments

Oregon’s Commercial Building Energy Performance Standard

As part of Oregon’s 2023 legislative climate package, the state advanced a commercial building energy performance standard. The standard would break the commercial sector down into two tiers with vari...
Resource Local Governments

Minneapolis Floor Area Ratio Premiums for Efficiency

Minneapolis provides floor area ratio premiums in the downtown district for buildings that increase their energy efficiency by a minimum of 35% compared to the Minnesota energy code. Different levels ...
Example Local Governments

Windsor’s all-electric reach code

Windsor CA adopted a reach code in September 2019 that mandates all-electric new construction for all new low-rise residential buildings. This includes single-family homes, multi-family below four sto...
Resource Foreign

International Living Future Institute’s Zero Energy Building Certification

The International Living Future Institute’s Zero Energy Building Certification was created to allow projects to demonstrate zero energy performance, defined as where “One hundred percent of the buildi...
MCLI Resource

LPDD Top Resources: Commercial and Residential Buildings

For states and localities participating in EPA’s CPRG Technical Assistance Forums, we’ve compiled a brief list of top resources in the Commercial and Residential Buildings Sector. modelclimatelaws.org...
Resource States and State Governments

Sierra Club Report, Building Electrification Action Plan for Climate Leaders

This 2019 action plan from the Sierra Club outlines the technical challenges and benefits of building electrification, particularly in California. It provides decision-makers and staff in state and lo...
Example Local Governments

Spur TX’s Tiny Homes Ordinance

Spur, Texas adopted an ordinance that generally permits tiny homes in the city by right, however, individuals need a variance to have a tiny home in seven of the city’s subdivisions. Tiny homes on whe...
Example Local Governments

Santa Monica Energy Code

Santa Monica’s Energy Code (2016) requires all new buildings use 10%-15% less energy than allowed by the 2016 California Energy Code, and achieve an energy design rating of zero. It requires solar ene...
Resource Local Governments

Zero Code Project

The Zero Code project combines a model building energy standard with a policy approach to require the adoption of renewable energy to projects to offset designed energy use to achieve zero net energy ...
Resource Local Governments

Model Code for Accessory Dwelling Units

The editors of www.accessorydwellings.org drafted a model zoning code that ensures ADUs are small and discreet, while also providing enough latitude in their creation that they actually get built. Com...
Example Local Governments

Lexington MA Accessory Dwelling Unit Zoning

Lexington MA’s zoning code permits Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) so long as they are located in the principle dwelling, the gross floor area does not exceed 1,000 square feet, and there are no more ...
Example Local Governments

Orlando Benchmarking and Auditing Requirements

In addition to benchmarking requirements, Orlando’s Ordinance 2016-64 requires buildings owners to conduct an energy audit or retrocommissioning every five years, unless their building receives an ENE...
Resource States and State Governments

Report, Building Better Building Performance Standards

This 2022 comment from the Guarini Center on the Environment, Energy, and Land Use offers recommendations regarding the choice of metrics in Building Energy Performance Standards. Its recommendations ...
Resource States and State Governments

Vermont Clean Heat Standard Legislation

In March, 2023, the Vermont Senate approved landmark legislation to create a Clean Heat Standard. The bill, S05 (2023), set up a system designed to fund the transition to “clean heat measures,” such a...
Example Local Governments

Montgomery’s County’s Natural Gas Ban

In November, 2022, Montgomery County, Maryland unanimously passed building decarbonization legislation, making Montgomery County the first county on the East Coast to ban natural gas as a source of he...
Example Local Governments

Baltimore County Cluster Zoning

Baltimore County’s zoning regulations establish several zones designed to preserve rural resources. Cluster development is required in some cases for the subdivision of land in certain “Resource Conse...
Example Local Governments

Miami’s fee reimbursement for LEED buildings

Miami Beach’s Code of Ordinances (2017) requires developers of new construction over 7,000 square feet to pay a fee of up to 5% of the construction cost (which fee is used by the city for climate miti...
Example Local Governments

San Francisco Natural Gas Ban in New Construction

In Nov. 2020, San Francisco passed legislation banning natural gas in new buildings. New residential and commercial building construction will be required to utilize all-electric power, starting with ...
Example Local Governments

San Francisco’s Existing Commercial Buildings Energy Performance Ordinance

In addition to benchmarking requirements, San Francisco’s Existing Commercial Buildings Energy Performance Ordinance requires ASHRAE Level 2 energy audits every five years for commercial buildings ove...
Example States and State Governments

Massachusetts’ Building Energy Usage Disclosure

A lesser-known provision of the Massachusetts legislature’s 2022 An Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind created M.G.L. ch.25A §20, which requires the reporting of energy usage data for building...
Example States and State Governments

Minnesota SB 2030 Energy Standard

For all new construction and renovation projects that receive general obligation bond funding from the state of Minnesota, the SB 2030 Energy Standard ratchets down the permissible energy use over tim...
Example States and State Governments

New York’s Appliance and Building Efficiency Standards

In May 2022, New York passed S9405, creating new appliance efficiency standards for products that are not federally regulated. It calls for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority...
Example Public Utilities

New Jersey Clean Energy Program

The New Jersey Clean Energy Programs are operated by contractors hired by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. One program is a residential new-construction program. The program has three tiers: ...
Resource States and State Governments

ACEEE Report, State Policies and Rules to Enable Beneficial Electrification in Buildings through Fuel Switching

ACEEE’s 2020 report reviews state-level efforts promoting electrification of space and water heating as a building decarbonization tool. Electrification has the potential to reduce buildings-sector em...
Example Local Governments

Marin County’s Low Carbon Concrete Code

The Marin County, California Low Carbon Concrete Code was the first in the nation to address the negative environmental externalities of concrete when it added a mandatory low carbon concrete specific...
Example Local Governments

Amherst MA’s Cluster Development Rules

Amherst MA’s Zoning Bylaw provides a detailed ratio for “developed land” to “common land” in Amherst’s Cluster Developments. For every dwelling unit, the code requires 2,000 square feet of usable comm...
Example States and State Governments

Oregon’s Path to Net Zero Program

Energy Trust of Oregon’s Path to Net Zero is a program to support the adoption of net zero energy commercial buildings. Currently, the program includes early design assistance (a project kickoff meeti...
Example States and State Governments

Alaska’s HB 374

HB 374, signed into law in 2018, enables utilities to offer customers on-bill financing agreements to finance measures such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy storage devices. Also eli...
Example Local Governments

Nashville Retrofit Requirements for Government Buildings

Nashville’s Ordinance BL2019-1599 establishes: An energy retrofit program across at least 9% of metro government-owned buildings by square footage between 2021 and 2024, with a goal of achieving at le...
Example Public Utilities

California Fuel Substitution Test

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) established the Fuel Substitution Test in August 2019 (Decision 19-08-009). The test clarifies how to demonstrate that an existing building measure do...
Example Local Governments

Philadelphia’s Building Energy Efficiency Tuneup Requirement

Philadelphia’s Bill 190600 (2019) mandates all non-residential buildings over 50,000 square foot get tune-ups to bring their energy and water systems to their highest efficiency, or submit a certifica...
Resource States and State Governments

EE4All report, Equitable Building Electrification

The Equitable Building Electrification Framework report explains the steps that California must take to ensure that electrification helps close the clean energy gap and provides relief to millions of ...
Resource Local Governments

Berkeley Proposed Tax on Natural Gas in Large Buildings

In November 2024, residents of Berkeley, CA, will vote on a ballot measure that proposes taxing the owners of buildings of 15,000 square feet or larger based on the amount of natural gas consumed each...
Example Local Governments

Chicago’s Sustainable Development Policy

Chicago’s Sustainable Development Policy requires that applicable development projects earn at least 100 points by implementing select sustainable strategies. Points can be earned in the following cat...
Example Local Governments

San Francisco’s Better Roofs Ordinance

San Francisco’s Better Roofs Ordinance requires new buildings to have 15% of the roof space as solar panels or 30% of the roof space as a Living (green) Roof. The ordinance applies to buildings that a...
Example States and State Governments

Rhode Island’s Proposed Solar Mandate on New Buildings

This proposed Rhode Island legislation would require all new single-family dwellings in the state to have a solar energy system large enough to meet at least 80% of the dwelling’s estimated annual ave...
Example States and State Governments

Massachusetts’ Act Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for Climate Policy (2021)

In January 2021, the Massachusetts State Legislature passed S.2995, which sets sweeping climate policy for the state, including greenhouse gas reduction targets of 50 percent by 2030, 75 percent by 20...
Example Local Governments

Boston’s Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance

Boston’s Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance (2013) requires that buildings report energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and water use to the city using Portfolio Manager (or an equival...
Example States and State Governments

Massachusetts’ Pathways to Zero Net Energy Program

The Pathways to Zero Net Energy Program is a $3.5 million Department of Energy Resources (DOER) initiative to spur the development of Zero Net Energy Buildings in Massachusetts. $3.0M is being used to...
Resource Local Governments

Report, Building Electrification: How Cities and Counties Are Implementing Electrification Policies

The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project’s July 2020 report analyzes 12 case studies and surveys the different policy options before local communities before offering model code language on building el...
Example States and State Governments

Washington State’s Zero Energy Code Roadmap

Washington State’s Zero Energy Code Roadmap (2015), prepared by the New Buildings Institute, intends to guide the process of revising the Washington State Energy Code through its revision cycles leadi...
Resource States and State Governments

Report, Toward Tradeable Building Performance Standards

Toward Tradeable Building Performance Standards offers a qualified defense of emissions trading programs in general, and suggests that tradeable credits in Building Energy Performance Standard program...
Example Local Governments

Seattle’s Executive Order 2020-01

Seattle’s Executive Order 2020-01, among other things, bans the use of natural gas and other fossil fuels in all new city-owned buildings, and calls for a plan to transition existing buildings away fr...
Resource States and State Governments

California New Gas Heater Ban

In September 2022, the California Air Resources Board voted to ban the sale of new natural gas furnaces and heaters by 2030. Homes will be required to install zero-emissions alternatives, like electri...
Resource Local Governments

IMT Model Building Performance Standard Ordinance

The Institute for Market Transformation’s (IMT) model ordinance for a building performance standard (BPS) benefits from lessons learned from the four jurisdictions (District of Columbia, New York City...
Example States and State Governments

Oregon’s Executive Order 17-20

Oregon’s Executive Order 17-20 calls for high performance energy use targets in remodels of all existing state buildings, a ten year plan to maximize energy efficiency in all affordable housing stock,...
Resource Local Governments

Menlo Park electrification reach code

Menlo Park’s electrification reach code requires all-electric new construction for all residential buildings (single-family and multifamily, including high-rise) as well as new commercial buildings. F...
Example Local Governments

Berkeley’s gas ban in new homes

Berkeley has banned the use of natural gas in low-rise residential buildings. As the California Energy Commission develops all-electric building standards for mid-rise, high-rise, and commercial build...
Resource States and State Governments

Architecture 2030

Architecture 2030 coordinates architects, engineers, and planners working to advance model codes and partner with city planners to achieve zero net carbon cities by 2030.
Example States and State Governments

NY Stretch Code and Energy Conservation Construction Code

The New York Stretch Code (2020) is a statewide model code for New York jurisdictions to use to meet their energy and climate goals by accelerating the savings obtained through their local building en...
Example Local Governments

Reno’s Energy and Water Efficiency Program

In addition to benchmarking requirements, Reno’s Energy and Water Efficiency Program requires that all buildings not receiving an Energy Star score of at least 50 must conduct an energy audit and retr...
Resource Local Governments

Davis CA Reach Code

Davis passed its reach code in September of 2019, which requires higher energy efficiency standards and electrification readiness in mixed fuel buildings.
Resource States and State Governments

RAP Report, The Clean Heat Standard

This 2021 RAP report outlines a potential Vermont-based performance-based program, the Clean Heat Standard (CHS), that would reduce GHG emissions and fossil heating costs in Vermont buildings. The pro...
Example Local Governments

Seattle 2030 District

The Seattle 2030 District is an interdisciplinary public-private collaborative working to create a groundbreaking high-performance building district in downtown Seattle. The district’s goals include c...
Resource Private Entities

Report, Beyond Guaranteed Savings

In a 2013 report, Oak Ridge National Laboratory reports that ESPCs commonly underestimate the amount of savings that actually accrues to site owners due to deep energy efficiency retrofits. This is du...
Resource States and State Governments

ASHRAE 90.1-2019

ASHRAE 90.1-2019 for Commercial Buildings provides the minimum requirements for energy-efficient design of most buildings, except low-rise residential buildings. It offers, in detail, the minimum ener...
Example Local Governments

Los Angeles’ zoning ordinances

Los Angeles’ zoning ordinances (2017) recently changed to disincentivize the spread of large single residences, or “McMansions.” The 2017 revisions gave a floor area ratio disincentive for ceilings hi...
Example States and State Governments

New York’s S542A (2021)

In June 2021, New York’s Assembly and Senate passed S542A, which instructs the state’s Office of General Services to set guidelines for procuring low-carbon concrete for state construction projects. T...
Example States and State Governments

Vermont’s Required Energy Training for Builders

Vermont’s S0220 (2020) requires architects, landscape architects, pollution abatement facility operators, professional engineers, property inspectors, real estate appraisers, and real estate brokers a...
Example Local Governments

Denver’s Green Building Ordinance

Denver’s Green Building Ordinance requires new buildings, new additions to buildings and existing buildings with a certificate of occupancy that are 25,000 sf to have a cool roof and comply with one o...
Example Local Governments

Ann Arbor’s A2Zero Plan

Approved in June 2020, Ann Arbor’s A2Zero plan lays out an ambitious strategy to shift away from using fossil fuels and power the community with 100% renewable energy within 10 years, while significan...
Example States and State Governments

California’s Building Decarbonization Pilot Plans

Senate Bill 1477, which requires the Commission to develop programs designed to test two specific programmatic approaches to building decarbonization: a Building Initiative for Low-Emissions Developme...
Example States and State Governments

Massachusetts Specialized Stretch Energy Code

In 2022, Massachusetts DOER approved a statewide Specialized Stretch Energy Code that cities and towns could adopt to boost the energy efficiency of new buildings and help lay the groundwork for elect...
Example Local Governments

Columbus Benchmarking Ordinance (2020)

Columbus OH’s Energy and Water Benchmarking and Transparency Ordinance (2020) requires new energy benchmarking, including requiring building owners to report data on building size, energy usage and ut...
Resource Local Governments

Report, Residential Retrofits for Energy Equity Playbook

This resource is designed as a tool for program administrators at community-based organizations and government offices seeking to establish, improve, or expand building energy upgrade programs for low...
Example Executive Branch

General Services Administration ESPCs

US General Services Administration issued a report on government efforts to undertake deep energy retrofits using energy services performance contracts with outside contractors. The report highlights ...
Example Local Governments

Seattle’s Heating Oil Tax

Through Council Bill 119607, the city imposed a new tax on the sale of home heating oil, saying the action will combat climate change by encouraging residents to move quicker to clean heating systems....
Resource Executive Branch

EPA’s Energy Star Portfolio Manager tool

EPA’s Energy Star Portfolio Manager tool is designed to measure and track energy and water consumption, as well as greenhouse gas emissions, for either one or a whole portfolio of buildings. This leve...
Example Local Governments

Charleston’s Zoning Ordinance

Charleston’s Zoning Ordinance (2015) grants developers height and density bonuses for achieving a certain number of incentive points for efficiency measures, including green roofs and achieving LEED c...
Resource Local Governments

WegoWise database

WegoWise maintains a database of US city benchmarking ordinances.
Resource States and State Governments

Report, A Comparison of Clean Heat Standards: Current Progress and Key Elements

This February 2024 report surveys the emerging field of Clean Heat Standards (CHS) across the United States, including two enacted programs and several pieces of proposed legislation. It offers a comp...
Resource Local Governments

RPC’s Model Accessory Dwelling Code

The Rockingham Planning Commission developed a model accessory dwelling code, including detailed explanations for specific provisions contained in a model ordinance.
Resource Local Governments

RAP Report, Principle of Smart Heat Electrification

RAP’s 2020 report surveys policies that impact smart heat electrification, including electricity pricing, energy efficiency obligations, carbon intensity standards, financial support schemes, building...
Example States and State Governments

Vermont’s Renewable Energy Standard

Fuel-switching efforts by Vermont utilities have been driven by the state’s 2015 Renewable Energy Standard (RES, Act 56), which addresses building electrification and comprises three components or tie...
Example Local Governments

Los Angeles’ Existing Buildings Energy and Water Efficiency Program

In addition to benchmarking requirements, Los Angeles’ Existing Buildings Energy and Water Efficiency Program requires public, non-residential, and multifamily buildings to conduct energy and water au...
Resource States and State Governments

Colorado SB 264 (2021)

The bill requires each gas distribution utility to file a clean heat plan with the public utilities commission (PUC). These plans must demonstrate how the utility will use clean heat resources to meet...
Example Local Governments

Seattle’s Building Energy Benchmarking and Reporting Program

In addition to benchmarking requirements, Seattle’s Building Energy Benchmarking and Reporting Program (2010) requires “tune-ups” of nonresidential buildings greater than or equal to 50,000 gross squa...
Example Local Governments

San Mateo’s electric reach code

San Mateo’s electric reach code does not require all-electric new construction, but incentivizes it through increased energy efficiency requirements for new buildings that use gas. Office buildings wi...
Resource Local Governments

Macarthur report, Energy Efficiency as a Tool for Preserving Affordable Rental Housing

The MacArthur Foundation’s commissioned report, Energy Efficiency as a Tool for Preserving Affordable Rental Housing, outlined public-sector policies for energy efficiency in multifamily rental housin...
Resource States and State Governments

ACEEE State Energy Efficiency Scorecard

ACEEE publishes an annual State Energy Efficiency Scorecard that ranks states on their policy and program efforts, not only assessing performance but also documenting best practices and recognizing le...
Resource States and State Governments

RAP’s Building Modernization Legislative Toolkit

The Regulatory Assistance Project, with collaborators at RMI, ACEEE, IMT, ReSolve and New Buildings Institute (NBI), have prepared a 2023 Building Modernization Legislative Toolkit. The toolkit is mea...
Example Local Governments

D.C.’s Net Zero New Building Codes for 2026

By 2026, all new buildings and substantial renovations in D.C. will have to be net-zero construction under legislation passed unanimously by the D.C. Council in July 2022. The legislation does not its...
Example Local Governments

Minneapolis floor area ratio bonuses for efficiency

The Minneapolis Code of Ordinances (2016) provides floor area ratio premiums in the downtown district for buildings that increase their energy efficiency by a minimum of 35% compared to the Minnesota ...
Resource Executive Branch

Federal Building Performance Standards and Proposed New Building Rules

In December 2020, the CEQ and DOE announced complementary policies applying to new and existing federal buildings. For new or newly renovated federal buildings, DOE announced a new proposed rule to he...
Example States and State Governments

Honolulu’s Bill 25

In 2020, Honolulu City Council passed Bill 25, which includes building code amendments requiring new buildings to be solar ready and that a portion of parking be EV-ready.
Resource Local Governments

Report, Strategies for Massachusetts Municipalities to Implement Net Zero Building Mandates

This 2019 paper from the Emmett Environmental Law & Policy Clinic at Harvard examines legal complexities that Massachusetts towns and cities must navigate when mandating reductions of greenhouse gas e...
Example Local Governments

Walsenburg CO’s Tiny House Variances

Walsenburg CO Ordinance No. 1045 grants authority to approve variances to minimum size requirements so that houses less than 500 square feet and permanently attached to the ground can be constructed i...
Example Public Utilities

Mass Save Heat Pump Incentives

Mass Save, a collaborative effort led by the state’s investor-owned utilities and the Cape Light Compact, provides incentives for heat pumps in Massachusetts. It operates a comprehensive set of statew...
Example Local Governments

Portland’s Low Carbon Concrete Initiative

The City of Portland’s 2016 Sustainable Supply Chain Analysis identified construction services as the top spend category contributing to the City’s supply chain greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Within ...
Example Local Governments

Des Moines WA’s Accessory Living Quarters Zoning

Des Moines WA’s zoning code permits one accessory living quarter (ALQ), at least 350 square feet of living space, per residential lot. ALQs help increase neighborhood densities, which diminishes deman...
Example Local Governments

Brisbane electric reach code

In 2019, Brisbane passed a mandatory all electric reach code for new construction. There are exemptions for cooking appliances, but the code requires pre-wiring throughout the building so a transition...
Example States and State Governments

New Jersey’s Low-Carbon Concrete Tax Incentive

In January 2023, New Jersey enacted S287, creating a first-in-the-nation tax credit for the utilization of low-carbon concrete. The new law gives businesses a credit of up to 5% of a project’s total c...
Example Local Governments

Boulder’s SmartRegs Program

Boulder’s SmartRegs program is a 2010 building performance standard that requires all rental housing in the city to demonstrate that it is about as efficient as buildings built to the 1999 Energy Code...
Resource Local Governments

Universal Model Building Code Language for Cool Roofs

This 2012 universal model code language from the Global Cool Cities Alliance project defines key terms, measurement protocols and procedures, and calls for cool roof performance requirements in line w...
Resource Local Governments

Park City Net Zero Energy Performance Requirements

In 2017, the City Council of Park City voted unanimously to approve a net-zero energy performance requirement for all new and renovated municipal buildings and facilities, using the US DOE’s net zero ...
Example Executive Branch

EO 14057

In December 2021, President Biden signed EO 14057, which orders the U.S. government to be “net-zero” by 2050. EO 14057 directs the federal government to leverage its 300,000 buildings, 600,000 cars an...
Model Law Local Governments

LPDD Model Law: EV-Ready Commercial Building Code

This model law would require new or significantly altered commercial, industrial, or multi-family residential buildings to be equipped with the installation of Level 2 electric vehicle supply equipmen...
Example Local Governments

New York’s “City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality” Initiative

The New York City Council approved the “City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality” plan in December 2023, a set of citywide zoning changes making it easier to install a variety of distributed energy resources...
Resource Private Entities

RMI Deep Retrofit Tools for Developers and Property Owners

The Rocky Mountain Institute catalogs tools and resources for developers and property owners to project techniques and savings related to deep energy retrofits, including energy software tools, financ...
Example Local Governments

Santa Monica electrification reach code

Santa Monica’s electrification reach code applies to all new construction (residential and commercial). The ordinance does not require all-electric new construction, but encourages it by requiring add...
Resource Local Governments

Marin County Green Building ordinance

Marin’s updated county code was voted on in September, 2019. It offers 3 updated compliance pathways: one for all electric construction, one for limited mixed fuel (gas stoves) construction, and mixed...
Example States and State Governments

Colorado’s Ban on Gas Extension Subsidies

Senate Bill 23-291 eliminates incentives for installation of gas line extensions in new buildings and developments.
Example Local Governments

Morgan Hill gas prohibition ordinance

Morgan Hill adopted a gas prohibition ordinance in 2019. Its gas-free commitment is similar to Berkeley’s in that it’s based on health and safety grounds, but it goes a step further by immediately imp...
Example Public Utilities

Eversource Zero Energy Home Incentive

In Connecticut, the utility company Eversource offers a residential new-construction program with several tiers based on Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score. The program pays the highest incentives...
Resource Local Governments

Annapolis, MD Clean Energy Loan Program

The Annapolis Clean Energy Program finances and encourages energy efficiency projects and renewable energy projects with an electric generating capacity of not more than one hundred kilowatts. On the ...
Example Local Governments

Hastings-on-Hudson’s Low Carbon Concrete Resolution

On May 18, 2020 the Board of Trustees of the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson passed a resolution committing the local government to promoting the use of low embodied carbon concrete products in building...
Example States and State Governments

New York State Gas Ban in New Buildings

In the budget passed in May 2023, New York State adopted a first-in-nation law to ban gas stoves and fossil fuels in new buildings starting in 2026. The gas ban requires all-electric heating and cooki...
Example Local Governments

Washington DC’s Green Area Ratio Rule

Washington DC’s Green Area Ratio Rule requires all new buildings that require a Certificate of Occupancy must meet the appropriate Green Area Ratio (GAR) based on the zoning district. The GAR is the r...
Example Local Governments

Carlsbad CA’s electrification reach code

Carlsbad’s electrification reach code requires heat pump water heaters or solar thermal water heating in new low-rise (below four stories) residential construction.
Resource Congress

Proposed CLEAN Future Act (2020)

The proposed Climate Leadership and Environmental Action for our Nation’s (CLEAN) Future Act (2020) is a large, economy-wide climate bill released by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Among ...
Example States and State Governments

CALGreen and Building Energy Efficiency Standards

California’s CALGreen and Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24) function harmoniously. CALGreen includes provisions to ensure the reduction of water use by 20%, improve indoor air quality, d...
Resource Local Governments

Form-Based Codes Institute

The Form-Based Codes Institute (FBCI) is a professional organization dedicated to advancing the understanding and use of form-based codes. Form-based codes focus on matching scale of development, allo...
Example Public Utilities

Tennessee’s Energy Right Program

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), in partnership with local power companies, actively promotes electrification and fuel switching through its EnergyRight programs. Certain local power companies ha...
Resource Private Entities

Model Climate Clause for Title Reports

Standard Title Reports for the acquisition of property do not include statements relating to the future risks of climate change that may affect the property. The Chancery Lane Project, a collaborative...
Resource States and State Governments

Massachusetts Clean Heat Report

This 2022 report from the Massachusetts Commission on Clean Heat (created in response to a 2021 Executive Order) recommends the creation of a Massachusetts Clean Heat Standard (CHS) and outlines progr...
Resource States and State Governments

Oregon Buy Clean Legislation

In March 2022, Oregon passed House Bill 4139, which will require state regulators to conduct life cycle assessments for select construction and maintenance materials used for public infrastructure pro...
Example Local Governments

New York’s Executive Order 88

New York’s Executive Order 88 requires that public buildings of more than 20,000 sf benchmark their energy consumption annually. Buildings that receive low scores are required to undergo ASHRAE Level ...
Example States and State Governments

Hawaii’s Benchmarking and Retrocommissioning Requirements

In addition to benchmarking requirements, Hawaii’s HB 1464 requires retrocommissioning on public buildings at least every five years.
Example Congress

Proposed Zero Emissions Homes Act (2021)

This 2021 bill seeks to provide rebates for the purchase and installation of electric appliances and equipment in single-family homes and multifamily buildings, with additional support for low- and mo...
Example States and State Governments

Colorado’s Gas Planning Pilot Communities

Colorado’s HB 24-1370 requires the Colorado Energy Office to identify five gas planning pilot communities. These communities will target neighborhood-scale alternatives projects, which will seek to de...
Example States and State Governments

Hawaii Law Maximizing Energy Efficiency of Public Buildings

In July 2022, Hawaii adopted HB 1801, which requires and establishes deadlines for state facilities to implement cost-effective energy efficiency measures. The Hawaii State Energy Office must collect ...
Resource Private Entities

American Institute of Architects 2030 Commitment

The American Institute of Architects 2030 Commitment provides a national framework to evaluate design options to support net zero energy. The confidential Design data Exchange system lets architects p...
Example Local Governments

Chiply FL’s Cluster Zoning

Chiply FL’s cluster zoning rules require that cluster developments preserve fifty percent open space in exchange for reducing the minimum lot size from one dwelling unit per ten acres, to two dwelling...
Example Local Governments

Healdsburg electrification reach code

Healdsburg CA’s electrification reach code for new construction requires electrification for most appliances, but grants an exemption from electrification for gas cooking and fireplaces.
Example Local Governments

San Anselmo LEED Requirements

The San Anselmo Code of Ordinances (2010) requires LEED certification for certain new construction and renovations. New construction between 2,000 and 4,999 square feet must meet any LEED standard, pr...
Resource Private Entities

ASHRAE Advanced Design Guide Series

The ASHRAE Advanced Design Guide series offers contractors and designers tools, including recommendations for practical products and off-the-shelf technology, for achieving a 30% energy savings compar...
Example Local Governments

Ithaca’s Energy Efficiency Retrofit and Thermal Load Electrification Program

In November 2021, the city of Ithaca, New York, voted to decarbonize and electrify buildings in the city by the end of the decade. Ithaca is the first U.S. city to establish such a plan, which the cit...
Resource States and State Governments

ACEEE Report, Building Electrification: Programs and Best Practices

This 2022 ACEEE report analyzes 42 programs to electrify buildings in the residential, multifamily, and commercial sectors and identifies trends, common approaches, and best practices. Though these pr...
Resource States and State Governments

New Buildings Institute Model Stretch codes

The New Buildings Institute Model Stretch codes present jurisdictions with a set of energy-saving building strategies that cover building components such as envelope, mechanical, water heating, lighti...
Example States and State Governments

Vermont’s Residential and Commercial Building Energy Standards

An update to the Residential and Commercial Building Energy Standards was adopted on December 18, 2019, effective September 1, 2020. Key changes include a solar ready residential stretch code, tighten...
Example Local Governments

Montgomery County’s Green Building Tax Credit

Montgomery County’s Bill 10-20 (2020) dramatically upgrades the Maryland county’s existing green building real property tax credit, prioritizing energy reduction in the name of GHG emission reduction,...
Example Local Governments

San Jose Natural Gas Ban

In December 2020, San Jose became the largest city in the US to ban gas infrastructure from nearly all new construction. San Jose officials expect the gas ban will reduce the city’s carbon pollution b...
Resource States and State Governments

National Energy Codes Collaborative

ACEEE’s National Energy Codes Collaborative launched in May, 2024, with the goal of empowering states and jurisdictions to effectively and sustainably implement updated building energy codes. States a...
Example Local Governments

Jamestown RI Cluster Development

Jamestown RI’s zoning stipulates that, within three of the region’s largest zones, clustered development is required for any subdivision of land over five acres. The planning commission will only appr...
Resource Local Governments

International Residential Code Model Tiny House Provisions

The 2018 International Residential Code’s Appendix Q is an optional provision for state and local governments that officially defines a tiny house and creates a construction code specific to the needs...
Model Law Local Governments

LPDD Model Law: Model Ordinance on Green Building Construction

This model ordinance would require that new non-residential and certain multifamily buildings with a gross floor area above 10,000 sf (or other size chosen by the municipality) be constructed to a sta...
Resource Local Governments

San Jose’s reach code and gas ban in new homes

In September 2019, San Jose City Council approved a building reach code ordinance that encourages building electrification and energy efficiency, requires solar-readiness on nonresidential buildings, ...
Example States and State Governments

DOE Model Energy Savings Performance Contract

An Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) defines a project and establishes how it will be implemented during construction and how it will be managed through the entire term of the agreement, addr...
Example States and State Governments

California 2025 Building Energy Code

In September 2024, California regulators approved the latest edition of its building energy codes. The 2025 Building Energy Efficiency Standards encourage installing heat pumps in new homes and certai...
Resource Private Entities

National Association of Energy Service Companies

The National Association of Energy Service Companies leads the energy services industry in promoting, developing, and advocating for the central role of energy efficiency as part of a comprehensive na...
Example Local Governments

NYC’s Green Roofs Policy

Local laws 92 and 94 of 2019 established NYC’s green roofs requires. New buildings and existing buildings undergoing major renovations in specific occupancy groups defined in the New York City Buildin...
Example Local Governments

Pima County’s Net-Zero Energy Building Standard

Pima County’s Net-Zero Energy Building Standard, while not imposing legal requirements, provides tools and calculators to property owners and developers to assess energy needs and design net-zero ener...
Resource States and State Governments

ASHRAE and IECC Standards

In July 2021, The U.S. Department of Energy issued pre-publication Federal Register notice determining that the updated model building energy codes, the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IE...
Example States and State Governments

Delaware’s Code for Energy Conservation

Delaware’s Code for Energy Conservation requires the state’s Energy Officer to establish programs to promote the construction of zero net energy homes. By 2026, all new residential building constructi...
Resource States and State Governments

DOE Building Energy Codes program

DOE supports the Building Energy Codes program, supporting building energy code development, adoption, implementation and enforcement processes to achieve the maximum practicable, cost-effective impro...
Example Local Governments

San Francisco’s Green Building Code

San Francisco’s Green Building Code (2017) requires new residential buildings to be installed with solar energy systems that meet a minimum requirement for per foot energy production. The San Francisc...
Example Local Governments

Santa Cruz Natural Gas Ban

Effective July 1, 2020, all construction permit applications for new buildings in the city must submit a declaration that their design is “Natural Gas-Free.”
Example States and State Governments

Colorado HB 1238 (2021)

The bill updates the methods used to determine the cost-effectiveness of demand-side management (DSM) programs of public utilities selling natural gas at retail, including requiring that the calculati...
Example Local Governments

Montgomery County’s Proposed BEPS (2021)

In July 2021, the Montgomery County, MD, Executive proposed new legislation (Bill 16-21) that will expand the number of buildings covered by the County’s Benchmarking Law and require the use of less e...
Example States and State Governments

Colorado’s SB 246 (2021)

The bill directs the PUC to establish energy savings targets and approve plans under which investor-owned electric utilities will promote the use of energy-efficient electric equipment in place of les...
Example States and State Governments

Buy Clean Colorado Act

The Buy Clean Colorado (BCCO) Act (C.R.S. 24-92-117) applies to State public projects for which the cost exceeds five hundred thousand dollars and for which an agency of government issues a solicitati...
Resource Local Governments

Evansville ESPC

Evansville and Johnson Controls completed a contract for deep energy efficiency retrofits, valued at $39M initial investment, with a 20 year payback. The project addresses lighting, HVAC, controls, va...
Example Local Governments

Portland’s EcoRoof Requirements

Portland’s Ecoroof policy stipulates that new buildings with a net building area of 20,000 square feet or more must have an ecoroof that covers 100% of the building area (with exceptions). At least 50...
Example Local Governments

NYC’s Benchmarking, Auditing, and Retrocommissioning Requirements

NYC Local Laws 133 (2016), 33 (2018), and 87 (2009) establish benchmarking, auditing, and retrocommissioning requirements for buildings in the city. NYC’s Local Law 133 (2016) requires owners of large...
Model Law Local Governments

LPDD Model Law: EV Ready Building Code for One- and Two-Family Homes

To meet the EV penetration goals identified in the LPDD text, every garage or parking structure, be it residential, commercial, or industrial, being built or significantly altered should be designed a...
Example States and State Governments

New Jersey Solar Ready Requirement for New Warehouses

In November 2021, New Jersey enacted A3352, requiring all new warehouses containing 100,000 square feet or more to reserve at least 40% of its roof space for the future installation of a solar facilit...
Example Local Governments

Bellingham WA Building Electrification Ordinance

In February 2022, Bellingham City Council approved an ordinance to require new commercial buildings and new apartment buildings more than four stories high to use electricity for heating and water hea...
Example States and State Governments

Washington State Energy Code

The Washington State Energy Code (2016) adopts 2015 International Energy Conservation Code for residential and commercial buildings, with state-specific amendments. The WSEC establishes a goal of 70 p...
Resource Local Governments

San Luis Obispo’s Clean Energy Choice Program

an Luis Obispo’s Clean Energy Choice Program uses disincentives, including fees, to discourage natural gas use in new residential construction.
Example Local Governments

New York City Gas Ban

In December 2021, NYC passed a mandate phasing out the combustion of fossil fuels in new buildings and accelerating the construction of all-electric buildings. The law, Intro. 2317, sets restrictions ...
Example Local Governments

Fife WA’s Green Factor Policy

Fife’s Green Factor policy holds that in order to receive a project permit, new developments, redevelopments and construction sites must have a landscaping plan that achieves the green factor. Plans m...
Example Local Governments

Thurston County’s Planned Rural Residential Developments

Thurston County, WA’s Code of Ordinances allows landowners to apply to create a “Planned Rural Residential Development” (PRRD). PRRDs require the creation of a “resource parcel.” The size and use of t...
Resource Congress

Report, Bringing Infrastructure Home: A 50-State Report on U.S Home Electrification

Rewiring America’s June 2021 report, Bringing Infrastructure Home: A 50-State Report on U.S Home Electrification, highlights the benefits of household electrification in terms of climate, household sa...
Resource Local Governments

Report, Guidelines for creating community-driven building retrofit programs

This report showcases how cities in the US can implement building decarbonization policies and programs in an equitable manner while also incorporating a broader set of community priorities and needs ...
Example Local Governments

Mountain View’s reach code

Mountain View CA’s reach code requires electrification for new residential and commercial buildings. Mountain View’s ordinance is robust; there are no exemptions for gas stoves, fireplaces, or fire pi...
Example Local Governments

New York’s S03585

New York’s S03585 requires gas and electric utilities to make available to landlords or lessors, upon request of prospective tenants or lessees, information concerning gas and electric charges incurre...
Example States and State Governments

California’s Long Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan

The California Public Utility Commission’s Long Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan calls for 50% existing commercial buildings to be zero energy by 2030, new state buildings and major renovations z...
Example States and State Governments

Connecticut’s SB356

This bill directs the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to use available federal or other funds to establish an energy efficiency retrofit grant program. The program must a...
Example Public Utilities

New York Clean Heat and Building Efficiency Funding

In January 2020, the New York State Public Service Commission has approved a set of energy efficiency and electric heat pump targets to reduce energy consumption in New York. The Order established a t...
Resource States and State Governments

ASHRAE’s Procedures for Commercial Building Energy Audits

ASHRAE publishes Procedures for Commercial Building Energy Audits. These standards describe three levels of energy audits, which are frequently cited in defining the scope of a required energy audit.