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.
A new policy primer, released today by Sierra Club and Climate & Community Institute, lays out why and how decision-makers at the local, state, and federal level can prioritize tenant protections as efforts to decarbonize buildings gain momentum. From rent and eviction protections to strongly enforced habitability standards, the primer explains a suite of complementary policies and provides existing examples of each as a framework for similar legislation.