clean-buildings

June 30, 2026

Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled in favor of New York City and New York State laws that prohibit fossil fuel-burning appliances in new buildings, affirming the judgments of two lower courts. Those laws are part of the growing movement of communities around the country taking action to transition homes and buildings away from polluting fossil fuels.

February 25, 2026

House Republicans passed a pair of bills this week that would undercut energy affordability and decrease energy reliability.

December 3, 2025

Today, the Department of Energy rescinded its National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building, which had been in place since June 2024 and was intended to provide clear, certifiable criteria to designate clean buildings.

November 19, 2024

Today, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the final round of funding for the Inflation Reduction Act’s Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP), marking the delivery of more than $1.4 billion to provide clean, energy-efficient housing upgrades for low-income communities, veterans, and people with disabilities.

July 22, 2024

Denver, Colo. – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Colorado and the Denver Regional Council of Governments were awarded $328 million in funding from the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program. 

June 25, 2024

HARTFORD, CT. – The Department of Administrative Services (DAS) released a Decarbonization Study exploring possible replacements for the Capitol Area System, a three-decade-old energy plant with a history of polluting Hartford’s air. The report follows years of advocacy by local environmental and climate justice groups to replace the facility with a 100 percent clean, renewable energy alternative.

April 24, 2024

“Everyone wins” under Clean Energy for New Federal Buildings and Major Renovations of Federal Buildings standard

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.