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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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
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The Harris Housing Plan
The presidential candidate is touting an “opportunity economy,” but what does this entail and how does it support affordable housing?
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Minneapolis 2040 Plan Reinstated
But is there enough political will in this progressive town to build the equitable housing the city needs?
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Federal Housing Finance Agency Could Soon Adopt Model Energy Codes
Coalition of organizations has urged the agency to require latest codes for all new homes with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
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Rochester, Minnesota: A Model for Making Geothermal Energy Work in a City Context
Municipal and industry leaders discuss how this mid-size city is taking progressive action on renewable energy
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Federal Definition of ‘Zero Emissions Buildings’ Released
The U.S. Department of Energy outlines Part 1 of its definition, which focuses on operational emissions; more comprehensive addendums are in progress.
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The “Public” in Public Utilities
Maine comes close to having a statewide consumer-owned utility. It failed but not without gaining a toehold for energy democracy.
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Maine’s Stretch Energy Code
Three municipalities adopt the state's first strectch code but enforcement of even the base code is lagging
