National Policy — policy in action
California
- SR 34 / 2023
Through this resolution, California formally declares climate restoration –– achieved through net-zero and net-negative CO2 emissions –– a climate priority. Moreover, it calls on the State Air Resources Board to urge the United States Ambassador to the United Nations to make a common climate goal to restore and stabilize greenhouse gas levels.
- AB 2446 / 2022
This law regarding embodied carbon emissions and construction materials develops a framework for measuring and reducing average carbon intensity in the materials of new residential and commercial buildings, with the aim of the state’s building sector to achieve 40% net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions no later than 2035.
- AB 1757 / 2022
This law requires the state to develop carbon dioxide removal targets through natural carbon sequestration and nature-based climate solutions for natural and working lands that reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the interim dates of 2030, 2038, and 2045.
- AB 1279 / 2022
Designers can help California actualize its Climate Crisis Act which sets forth the plan to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions to at least 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 and 85% below 1990 levels by 2045.
- SB 905 / 2022
Designers interested in using carbon capture, removal, utilization or storage can refer to this bill, which establishes a program to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and viability of carbon capture, utilization, or storage (CCUS) and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies.
- SB 1314 / 2022
California prohibits injecting carbon dioxide for enhanced oil recovery, opening up opportunities for designers interested in incorporating carbon capture, utilization, or storage (CCUS) and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies that do not produce more oil.
- AB 2836 / 2022
The Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program creates grants for projects that reduce air pollutants and encourages cleaner transportation practices through the establishment of a vehicle levy for air pollution controls.
Resources
Plans, reports, green banks, and contacts to explore:
- SB 596 / 2021
An important bill for designers working with cement in California, this act directs the California Air Resources Board to develop and implement a plan to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the cement sector no later than 2045.
- SB 68 / 2021
This bill promotes building electrification by requiring the California Energy Commission to publish guidance and best practices for designers, building owners, and local governments to transition to electric equipment and appliances, and to construct electrified buildings with electric vehicle charging capabilities. It includes financial incentives for technological advancements that reduce building electrification costs.
The Buy Clean California Act requires the state establish and publish the maximum acceptable Global Warming Potential (GWP) limit for structural steel, concrete reinforcing steel, flat glass, and mineral wool board insulation.
- EO N-79-20 / 2020
This Executive Order incentivizes the design of electrified transportation vehicle technology and infrastructure in California, setting the course to end internal combustion passenger vehicle sales by 2035.
- SB 100 / 2018
This law requires that electric companies and public utilities source 100% of energy from renewable sources by December 31, 2045, ensuring designers can steadily rely on clean energy for design.
- SB 375 / 2008
Designers can refer to the plans that the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) put forward to meet greenhouse gas targets as required by this law, the Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act. MPOs are to develop sustainable community strategies that include transportation and sustainable housing.
How to Participate
To help advance climate action –– check if your local, state, or national government is proposing new policies, codes, or regulations that champion decarbonization. Local, state, national, and international climate policy tracking tools are included below for easy access.
Join a climate action advocacy group in a well-informed, professional organization to leverage their experience and resources. Consider these respected organizations: Achieving Net Zero / AIA Advocacy / ASLA Advocacy / Carbon Leadership Forum Advocacy / USGBC Advocacy
Colorado
- SB 22-206 / 2022
This bill provides financial support to design and rebuild homes or commercial buildings that are climate resilient, energy efficient, and use renewable energy with battery storage in response to destructive extreme weather events.
- SB 22-193 / 2022
Section 1 creates grants awarded to private entities, local and tribal governments, and public-private partnerships to decarbonize industrial and manufacturing operations as well as a sustainable cannabis fund. Additional sections address further decarbonization efforts, such as transportation electrification.
- HB 22-1159 / 2022
This act created the Circular Economy Development Center to provide the state with the necessary infrastructure, systems, logistics, and marketing to expand recycling and composting systems toward a more circular economy.
- HB 22-1249 / 2022
The Electric Grid Resilience and Reliability Roadmap requires Colorado agencies to develop a plan for grid reliance and reliability, emphasizing the use of microgrids to enhance grid strength. This plan facilitates the development of electric grid reliant and resilient structures in the built environment, essential for accommodating increased renewable energy generation.
Resources
Plans, reports, green banks, and contacts to explore:
- SB 22-118 / 2022
To encourage geothermal energy use, this bill provides similar legal treatment to geothermal as solar energy by establishing a statewide energy performance standard for commercial and multi-family buildings, marking a boost for designers seeking to integrate geothermal energy into the built environment.
- HB 19-1261 / 2019
Designers have a major role to play in actualizing this bill’s overarching plan to decarbonize Colorado by 2050. To achieve this goal, Colorado created a roadmap and timeframe to reduce greenhouse gas levels below 2005 emissions as follows: 26% by 2025, 50% by 2030, and 90% by 2050.
Applicable to new buildings, roof permits, and additions to structures over 25,000 square feet, this ordinance serves as a crucial tool for the design community to drive decarbonization efforts in the built environment by mandating compliance with energy efficiency standards, green building practices, and renewable energy integration in new and renovated buildings.
Governors from Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming agreed to provide a framework for the creation of an Intermountain West EV Corridor that will make it possible to drive an EV across major transportation corridors in the west.
How to Participate
To help advance climate action –– check if your local, state, or national government is proposing new policies, codes, or regulations that champion decarbonization. Local, state, national, and international climate policy tracking tools are included below for easy access.
Join a climate action advocacy group in a well-informed, professional organization to leverage their experience and resources. Consider these respected organizations: Achieving Net Zero / AIA Advocacy / ASLA Advocacy / Carbon Leadership Forum Advocacy / USGBC Advocacy
Connecticut
- SB 1147 / 2023
The Connecticut legislature is considering a bill that would enhance their environmental justice statute and ensure that proposed designs are not environmentally hazardous to the surrounding community. The proposed measures include preserving public participation processes for permits, implementing a tool to assess existing environmental and health stressors, and granting governing agencies the authority to deny or impose conditions on permits for polluting facilities in environmental justice communities.
IES is a dynamic clean energy initiative that fosters collaboration between private companies and utilities. Its primary goal is to drive decarbonization efforts and promote sustainable practices to enhance Connecticut's grid. By providing funding, technical assistance, and streamlining processes, the program facilitates the development of innovative pilot programs, technologies, products, and services.
- SB 10 / 2022
Designers can play a pivotal role in helping Connecticut actualize SB 10. This bill sets ambitious goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions: 10% below 1990 levels by 2020, 45% below 2001 levels by 2030, complete elimination of greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity supplied to electric customers by 2040, and an 80% reduction below 2001 levels by 2050.
Resources
Plans, reports, green banks, and contacts to explore:
- SB 356 / 2021
Designers can help enact this retrofit grant program, which will provide funds for energy-efficient upgrades in affordable housing units and other eligible dwellings, including weatherization measures, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, heat pumps and ventilation, and the mitigation of exposure to environmental health hazards.
- Public Act 19-35 / 2019
The Green Economy and Environmental Protection bill amends Connecticut's building construction statute by adopting high-performance building standards aligned with the International Green Construction Code. This legislation aims to promote better environmental practices in the construction sector, fostering energy efficiency and sustainability in state and school buildings.
How to Participate
To help advance climate action –– check if your local, state, or national government is proposing new policies, codes, or regulations that champion decarbonization. Local, state, national, and international climate policy tracking tools are included below for easy access.
Join a climate action advocacy group in a well-informed, professional organization to leverage their experience and resources. Consider these respected organizations: Achieving Net Zero / AIA Advocacy / ASLA Advocacy / Carbon Leadership Forum Advocacy / USGBC Advocacy
