April 24, 2024
“Everyone wins” under Clean Energy for New Federal Buildings and Major Renovations of Federal Buildings standard
clean-buildings
March 21, 2024
The International Code Council (ICC) announced yesterday that the final version of its new commercial and residential energy codes will not include widely popular and expert-backed provisions that would have reduced energy waste and pollution.
January 29, 2024
Today, the Department of Energy (DOE) released a final energy efficiency standard for stoves. The new standards will take effect in 2028 and, according to DOE, are projected to save Americans approximately $1.6 billion on their utility bills over 30 years.
August 7, 2023
Washington, DC - Sierra Club members and supporters submitted more than 6,000 comments urging the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to finalize and implement a policy determination to update building energy codes for renters in low-income housing, which could save residents over 35% in energy costs.
January 26, 2023
BOSTON, MA -- At her first State of the City address last night, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced she will be signing an Executive Order requiring all new municipal buildings and major renovations, including schools, to be fossil-fuel free.
January 10, 2023
ALBANY, NY -- Governor Hochul released new policy goals at her State of the State address on Tuesday that would further implement the landmark Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). This nation-leading climate law commits New York State to a zero emissions grid by 2040 and near carbon neutrality by 2050. In December, the Climate Action Council released the final scoping plan for enacting regulations that retains many of the strong recommendations that emerged from the Advisory Panels and the public comment process.
January 9, 2023
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a recall for thousands of gas ranges due to a serious concern about carbon monoxide poisoning from the oven compartment. This recall underscores the need for CPSC to enact rules to ensure the safety of new gas stoves, an effort that the agency says it is exploring.
December 20, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC – The DC Council today passed legislation requiring that all new and substantially renovated DC government buildings meet net zero energy standards, meaning the buildings are highly energy efficient, maximize on-site renewable energy generation, and do not use fossil fuels. The legislation helps implement the Climate Commitment Act, which requires the DC government to be carbon neutral in its operations by 2040.
December 19, 2022
MANHATTAN, NY -- Today, New York’s Climate Action Council (CAC) will vote on the Final Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) Scoping Plan. Following the passage of the CLCPA, Advisory Panels with diverse sector-specific expertise were appointed in 2020 to draft recommendations for the strategies necessary for New York to decarbonize and meet the mandates of the Climate Act.
December 14, 2022
Although growing evidence shows that gas stoves fill kitchens and homes with hazardous air pollution, U.S. PIRG Education Fund and Sierra Club released a new report that found major retailers were largely failing to warn potential customers of gas stove health concerns – and safety measures that could protect their health.
December 7, 2022
MANHATTAN, NY -- Today, the New York City Council voted to approve Resolution 169. The resolution calls on the Climate Action Council and the Governor to draft and implement a final Climate Action Council Scoping Plan that commits to meeting New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) targets while taking bold climate and environmental justice action in New York.
December 7, 2022
The first ever Federal Buildings Performance Standard was announced today by the Biden-Harris Administration to cut pollution from buildings and lower the government’s energy costs through energy efficiency upgrades and electrification. Buildings contribute more than 25% of the federal government’s greenhouse gas emissions, so this is an important step towards achieving climate goals and making federally owned buildings clean and healthy.