Because states and local governments largely have authority over the design and construction of buildings, the federal government can best facilitate building decarbonization by providing financial incentives and technical support, while setting goals and requirements for the federal building stock. These policies will boost local economic development, create high-quality, good-paying jobs, and improve quality of life, especially for disproportionately exposed, frontline, and vulnerable communities.
Eliminate emissions from new buildings by 2030 by requiring federal buildings to follow net-zero-emission building codes and incentivizing states and cities to adopt net-zero codes.
Weatherize every home in America by substantially increasing funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program and increasing homeowner incentives for energy efficiency.
Invest in energy-efficient public buildings and communities by increasing funding for the State Energy Program and reauthorizing the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program.
Increase the availability of energy-efficient, affordable housing by increasing funding for energy-efficient public, federally assisted, and unsubsidized multifamily housing.
Drive energy retrofits of commercial buildings and businesses through tax incentives, a small business energy efficiency grant program, and commercial building benchmarking requirements.
Boost onsite clean energy generation and beneficial electrification by increasing tax incentives and rebates and establishing model standards and codes.
Reduce emissions from building materials by incentivizing building reuse, requiring federal use of performance-based construction specifications, and establishing green building material databases and labels.
Demonstrate federal leadership in building efficiency by setting ambitious energy and emissions reduction targets, requiring deep energy retrofits, and increasing federal use of energy savings performance contracting.