Biden-Harris Administration Announces Steps to Electrify and Cut Emissions from Federal Buildings
First-Ever Proposed Emissions Standard for New Federal Buildings is Projected to Save $8 Million Per Year in Costs and Decrease Long-Term Carbon Emissions.
The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), announced a proposed rule to electrify and cut emissions from new or newly renovated federal buildings. Beginning in 2025, these facilities will be required to reduce their on-site emissions associated with the energy consumption of the building by 90% relative to 2003 levels. In 2030, the standard will fully decarbonize the on-site emissions in new federal buildings and major renovations. These measures will help advance the adoption of cleaner technologies for buildings that are necessary to achieving President Biden’s goal of net-zero emissions in all federal buildings by 2045.
“Ridding pollution from our buildings and adopting clean electricity are some of the most cost-effective and future-oriented solutions we have to combat climate change,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “For the first time ever, DOE is establishing a firm timetable to reduce the government’s carbon footprint in new and existing federal facilities — ensuring the Biden-Harris Administration is leading by example in the effort to reach the nation’s ambitious climate goals.”