National Policy — policy in action
Vermont
- SO220 Act 178 / 2020
A helpful decarbonization resource, Vermont requires building and landscape architects to complete an education module regarding how they can help further Vermont’s energy goals.
- H688 Act 153 / 2020
Designers can help Vermont actualize its mid-term and long-term greenhouse gas reduction targets of 26% below 1990 levels by 2025, 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.
- H410 Act 139 / 2018
Also referred to as Act 139, Vermont created a resource for reducing energy consumed by products through setting energy and water efficiency standards for 16 products such as commercial fryers and public lavatory faucets which do not have federal standards.
- HH 411 / 2017
This act reinforces the applicability of federal appliance standards in Vermont “so that the same standards will be in place in Vermont should the federal standards be repealed or voided.”
Resources
Plans, reports, green banks, and contacts to explore:
- H40 / 2015
Vermont set a renewable energy standard of 75% annual electricity to be provided from renewable sources by 2032.
- SO220 Act 178 / 2020
The Community Renewable Energy Act provides a framework for municipalities and counties in Utah to establish community-oriented renewable energy programs. These programs aim to source 100% of electric energy from renewable resources by 2030 within participating communities.
- RGI / 2009
Participating states (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont) of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) agree to a regional cap on CO2 emissions, reducing emissions and raising money to invest into local communities, such as clean energy programs, energy efficiency, and bill assistance to local businesses and communities.
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
Virginia
- § 67-103 / 2021
To promote decarbonizing the built environment, the State of Virginia provides guidelines for the development of local renewable energy ordinances for solar and wind energy infrastructure.
- SB94 / 2020
Through this act, Virginia acknowledges and expresses support for the clean energy transition and the decarbonization of the built environment, with the goal of becoming net zero by 2045.
Resources
Plans, reports, green banks, and contacts to explore:
- SB 851 / 2020
Virginia’s Clean Economy Act requires the state’s dominant utility Dominion Virginia and the smaller utility Appalachian Power Co. to source 30 percent of their power from renewables by 2030, and close all carbon-emitting power plants by 2045 for Dominion and 2050 for Appalachia.
- Executive Order 43 / 2019
The design community can help Virginia actualize its goal of producing 30% electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030 and 100% of its electricity from carbon-free sources by 2050 through Expanding Access to Clean Energy and Growing the Clean Energy Jobs of the Future.
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
