Policy Watch
Legislation is among the strongest accelerants of high-performance home building. When building codes require zero-energy construction, or 100% renewable energy sources across residential housing, homeowners and builders are forced to adopt design and building practices that fall into compliance. “Policy Watch” documents evolving legislative measures to help inform homeowners, designers, builders, and construction industry leaders facing the challenge of building in new ways, to new standards. The objective is to keep pace with ever-changing building information needs by tracking policies that impact performance-minded designers, builders, and industry stakeholders.
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Green Banks’ Funding Is in the Trump Administration’s Crosshairs
In a legally dubious move, an attempt to roll back the IRA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and reclaim $20 billion in congressionally approved grants
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Cambridge, Mass., Goes All in on Renewable Energy Certificates
The city has entered into the largest-ever virtual power purchase agreement for a U.S. municipality.
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Tariffs and Their Impacts on Builders
Trump’s intended trade war with Canada and Mexico could have dire consequences for the U.S. building industry
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Trump Administration Declares a National Energy Emergency
Industry pros discuss the state of U.S. energy production, the grid, and the future of renewables
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What Could Happen to the Inflation Reduction Act in the Next Trump Administration?
Many incentives are likely to remain, but when combined with new economic policies, the results could be mixed
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Do CALGreen’s Embodied Carbon Measures Make Compliance Too Easy?
Authors and stakeholders of the amended building code weigh in
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Utility Investments Promote Equity in Home Efficiency Market
A pilot program in Ipswich, Massachusetts, highlights the potential for more accessible electrification among all consumers
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Reaching Decarbonization Goals
Civic and private sector leaders of Ithaca, New York, point to the hurdles well-intentioned cities face
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Upgrading the U.S. Grid
FERC rule specifies long-term regional transmission planning and cost allocation
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Consequences of U.S. Supreme Court’s Overturning of Chevron Doctrine
Decisions in two cases spell legal trouble for clean energy transition
