Biden-Harris Administration Announces $90 Million To Support Resilient and Efficient Building Energy Codes and Save American Families Money
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $90 Million To Support ... Energy.gov
sdgtalks
U.S. Department of Energy Announces $90 Million in Awards to Implement Updated Energy Codes for Buildings
Introduction
As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $90 million in competitive awards to support the implementation of updated energy codes for buildings. These awards, funded by the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will assist states, cities, tribes, and partnering organizations in ensuring that buildings meet the latest standards for energy efficiency. The aim is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy bills for American families and businesses, and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Supporting Energy Efficiency and Climate Goals
The awardees will provide technical assistance for updating state and local building codes, which are projected to save Americans $138 billion on their utility bills and reduce 900 million metric tons of CO2 emissions by 2040. Modernizing energy codes is a cost-effective way to improve energy efficiency in homes and businesses, making communities more resilient to extreme weather events. These efforts are crucial for addressing the climate crisis and achieving the Biden-Harris Administration’s ambitious clean energy goals.
Secretary Granholm’s Statement
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm emphasized the importance of cutting emissions from buildings and making them more energy efficient. She highlighted that these actions are critical components of President Biden’s plan to tackle the climate crisis and create cleaner and healthier communities. The DOE’s new funding will help cities and states modernize their building codes, resulting in lower energy costs for American families and businesses while improving public health.
Building Efficiency and Cost Savings
Homes built to today’s energy codes are 40% more efficient than those built 15 years ago. This improvement reduces energy costs for households, particularly benefiting hard-working families and underserved communities. Energy codes also contribute to substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and lower builder risk. The Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda aims to extend these benefits to communities that need them the most, including environmental justice communities, rural areas, and underserved populations.
The Impact of Building Energy Codes
Currently, commercial and residential buildings in the U.S. account for 35% of the nation’s total carbon emissions. Energy codes establish minimum standards for energy efficiency in new and renovated buildings, making them healthier, safer, and more resilient. By 2040, building energy codes are estimated to save Americans $138 billion on their utility bills and reduce 900 million metric tons of CO2 emissions. This reduction is equivalent to the annual emissions of 108 million homes.
Addressing Implementation Challenges
To realize the significant cost-saving and public health benefits of energy codes, it is crucial for states and local governments to update their building codes based on the latest technologies and construction practices. However, two-thirds of communities in the U.S. have not adopted the latest building codes due to a lack of resources. The DOE’s awards aim to address this challenge by helping states and local governments adopt and implement modern construction standards. This initiative builds on the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Initiative to Advance Building Codes, which prioritizes energy and building codes that save lives, reduce property damage, cut utility bills, and create jobs while advancing environmental and energy justice.
Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation
The 27 awarded projects were selected through a stakeholder engagement process and target partnerships across various energy code stakeholders. These projects encompass activities such as workforce development, community engagement, research and data collection, energy equity and environmental justice, and increased support for compliance and enforcement.
Education and Training Opportunities
One of the key focuses of the awarded projects is providing industry practitioners with access to education and training on the latest building codes. The awardees will develop programs to attract and train new workers, as well as retain existing workers, to create a skilled and diverse workforce. These programs are essential for the effective implementation of energy codes at the state and local levels, aligning with President Biden’s commitment to strengthening the workforce, empowering American workers, and creating new opportunities for good-paying jobs.
Selected Projects
The selected projects include initiatives such as the establishment of a National Energy Codes Collaborative by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, regional building performance standard cohorts by ClearlyEnergy, Inc., and a comprehensive plan for energy code adoption by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. Other projects focus on workforce development, outreach, and partnerships in various states to ensure the successful implementation of energy codes. For a full list of projects, please refer to the provided link.
Conclusion
The U.S. Department of Energy’s awards for implementing updated energy codes for buildings are a significant step towards achieving the SDGs and addressing the climate crisis. By supporting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, these efforts contribute to a cleaner and healthier future for American families and businesses. The DOE’s commitment to building codes aligns with President Biden’s vision of a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions economy by 2050. Through these initiatives, the clean energy economy can benefit all Americans, create jobs, and promote environmental and energy justice. For more information on DOE’s activities supporting building codes, please visit their official website.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
- SDG 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes
- SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management
- SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Energy savings in utility bills
- Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (900 million metric tons of CO2 emissions by 2040)
- Number of buildings meeting updated energy codes
- Amount of funding allocated to support energy code updates
- Number of states and local governments adopting and implementing modern construction standards
- Number of workers trained in building science topics
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency | – Energy savings in utility bills – Number of buildings meeting updated energy codes |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes | – Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (900 million metric tons of CO2 emissions by 2040) – Amount of funding allocated to support energy code updates |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management | – Number of states and local governments adopting and implementing modern construction standards – Number of workers trained in building science topics |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | – Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (900 million metric tons of CO2 emissions by 2040) |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: energy.gov
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
