huffpost.com, 3/30/21. Kim Havey had a problem. Minneapolis was generating more and more of its electricity from renewables, dropping climate-warming pollution from power to record lows. But emissions from natural gas, which is used to heat buildings and stovetops, were climbing ― overtaking power plants as the city’s top source of carbon pollution in 2017. […]
Category: Codes & Standards
MA Residents: Advocate for Net Zero Stretch Codes Now!
Built Environment Plus, 2/4/21. We are calling on the Massachusetts building community to advocate for a Net Zero Stretch Code within the Climate Roadmap Bill now in the Legislature. We need you to call your Senator and Representatives where you live and work, and tell them that based on your building industry expertise that you support […]
Solar Mandate for New Commercial Buildings in Watertown, MA
Written by Ryan Pollin, ERS for Zondits, December 13, 2018 The City of Watertown, Massachusetts, has become the first municipality in New England to mandate that all commercial new construction buildings be designed with solar PV. The decision was made by unanimous approval from the town council. The ordinance will also affect retrofits of buildings […]
The Barriers that Remain for Zero Energy Buildings
Zero energy buildings on the rise but barriers remain Written by Christopher Perry, aceee.org, October 24, 2018 Zero energy building codes are making inroads in Oregon, California, British Columbia, and other places, but a new ACEEE white paper reveals that they still face barriers to nationwide success, including a “solar-only” mentality. From coast to coast, there’s considerable […]
Michigan Schools Strive for ENERGY STAR Certification
Michigan public educational facilities encouraged to pursue ENERGY STAR certification to help cut energy bills uppermichiganssource.com, September 6, 2018 Michigan has more ENERGY STAR certified K-12 schools than any other state in the Midwest, and it plans to continue its leadership in the coming years by helping Michigan public educational facilities pursue this designation and […]
Energy Efficiency Bill Signed Into Law in Vermont
Vermont law ‘ups the ante’ on energy efficiency Written by Peter Maloney, utilitydive.com, May 30, 2018 Dive Brief: Vermont Republican Gov. Phil Scott last week signed a bill that aims to raise the ante on energy efficiency and drive more federal action. The new standards apply to a variety of appliances, including computers and monitors, […]
New California Homes Mandated to Install Solar PV
Energy Efficiency vs. Home Affordability Written by Radhika Ojha, dsnews.com, May 11, 2018 Long seen as a frontrunner in clean energy goals, The Golden State has done it again by introducing a regulation that will make it mandatory for all new homes to install solar panels starting January 2020. The California Energy Commission recently voted unanimously to […]
Legal Loophole Denies Consumers Energy Savings
Lighting standards loophole jeopardizes energy and cost savings for fluorescent tubes Written by Chris Granada, appliance-standards.org, March 23, 2018 A legal loophole has already denied American consumers expected energy savings from efficiency standards on fluorescent tubes. Unless it is closed, this loophole threatens additional missed savings, particularly for households and small businesses. General service fluorescent […]