States from coast to coast have signed a joint agreement to accelerate the transition to pollution-free residential buildings by significantly expanding heat pump sales to meet heating, cooling, and water heating demand in coming years. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), led by the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM), has been signed by directors of environmental agencies from California, Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Rhode Island.
Under the MOU, these states have set a shared goal for heat pumps to meet at least 65% of residential-scale heating, air conditioning and water heating shipments by 2030 and 90% by 2040 across the participating states. States will also collaborate to collect market data, track progress, and develop an action plan within a year to support the widespread electrification of residential buildings.
This MOU builds on a September 2023 commitment from the U.S. Climate Alliance’s member states and territories to quadruple heat pump installations by 2030.
Efforts to Transition to Clean Residential Buildings
“Heat pumps and building electrification are the future for healthier homes and a thriving green economy,” said Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain. “This multi-state partnership will help Maryland meet its ambitious climate goals and strengthen a coalition of states for cleaner air and better health outcomes.”
Buildings are a hidden source of air pollution, which comes from combustion of fossil fuels in furnaces, boilers, and water heaters. According to NESCAUM, fossil-fueled heating equipment across the participating states emits annually over 138,000 tons of smog-forming nitrogen oxides (NOx) and 6,000 tons of fine particulate matter, causing increased risk of heart attack, asthma events, premature death, and many other adverse health outcomes. Buildings also annually emit 173 million metric tons of CO2 across participating states.
To pave the way for widespread adoption of heat pumps, the agreement emphasizes collaboration with key stakeholders, including heat pump manufacturers and HVAC installers. The transition to efficient electric heating, cooling, and water heating has the support of major market players and manufacturers.
“To achieve our shared decarbonization goals, we need to send an unmistakable signal to the marketplace that zero-emission homes are the future. This agreement does that,” said Matt Rusteika, Director of Market Transformation, Building Decarbonization Coalition. “We applaud NESCAUM and state leaders for a commitment that is ambitious, flexible, and pragmatic.”
To lead by example, states signing the NESCAUM-led MOU committed to promote installation of zero-emission, grid-interactive technologies in existing state buildings. States also seek to direct at least 40% of efficiency and electrification investments to benefit low-income households facing high energy burdens and communities historically burdened with elevated air pollution levels.
A recent letter from business-focused Ceres united 24 businesses, investors, and building owners and operators in stating support to accelerate heat pump adoption. Last year, ten of the nation’s largest manufacturers committed to help California achieve its target of six million heat pumps by 2030.
“State policy is critical to accelerating the adoption of building technologies that are good for the climate and good for business. Initiatives that encourage collaboration across state lines to develop best practices are essential to accelerating this transition,” said Alli Gold Roberts, Senior Director of State Policy, Ceres.
Related Stories
Sustainability | Aug 3, 2021
Construction Association launches new initiative to address climate change by pushing for construction of fewer carbon-intensive projects
While the new initiative includes steps construction firms can take to operate more efficiently, the bulk of the effort is focused on pushing for public and private project owners to build more efficient projects.
Wood | Jul 16, 2021
The future of mass timber construction, with Swinerton's Timberlab
In this exclusive for HorizonTV, BD+C's John Caulfield sat down with three Timberlab leaders to discuss the launch of the firm and what factors will lead to greater mass timber demand.
Industrial Facilities | Jul 2, 2021
A new approach to cold storage buildings
Cameron Trefry and Kate Lyle of Ware Malcomb talk about their firm's cold storage building prototype that is serving a market that is rapidly expanding across the supply chain.
Resiliency | Jun 24, 2021
Oceanographer John Englander talks resiliency and buildings [new on HorizonTV]
New on HorizonTV, oceanographer John Englander discusses his latest book, which warns that, regardless of resilience efforts, sea levels will rise by meters in the coming decades. Adaptation, he says, is the key to future building design and construction.
Sustainability | Jun 23, 2021
The world’s first Passive House Certified cidery completes
River Architects designed the project.
Education Facilities | Jun 4, 2021
Three ProConnect events coming this fall: Sustainability (Nov 2-3), Education (Nov 16-17), Multifamily (Dec 12-14)
SGC Horizon ProConnect 2021 schedule for Education, Multifamily, Office, and Single Family events.
Sustainability | May 28, 2021
Nexii builds the first sustainably constructed Popeyes restaurant in Canada
The new restaurant was built in under two weeks.
High-rise Construction | May 27, 2021
The anti-high rise: Seattle's The Net by NBBJ
In this exclusive video interview for HorizonTV, Ryan Mullenix, Design Partner with NBBJ, talks with BD+C's John Caulfield about a new building in Seattle called The Net that promotes wellness and connectivity.
Wood | May 14, 2021
What's next for mass timber design?
An architect who has worked on some of the nation's largest and most significant mass timber construction projects shares his thoughts on the latest design trends and innovations in mass timber.