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
| May 27, 2014
America's oldest federal public housing development gets a facelift
First opened in 1940, South Boston's Old Colony housing project had become a symbol of poor housing conditions. Now the revamped neighborhood serves as a national model for sustainable, affordable multifamily design.
| May 22, 2014
Facebook, Telus push the limits of energy efficiency with new data centers
Building Teams are employing a range of creative solutions—from evaporative cooling to novel hot/cold-aisle configurations to heat recovery schemes—in an effort to slash energy and water demand.
| May 22, 2014
Big Data meets data centers – What the coming DCIM boom means to owners and Building Teams
The demand for sophisticated facility monitoring solutions has spurred a new market segment—data center infrastructure management (DCIM)—that is likely to impact the way data center projects are planned, designed, built, and operated.
| May 16, 2014
BoA, USGBC to offer $25,000 grants for green affordable housing projects
The Affordable Green Neighborhoods Grant Program will offer 14 grants to developers of affordable housing in North America who are committed to building sustainable communities through the LEED for Neighborhood Development program.
| May 15, 2014
Paints, coatings, and sealants: 10 new ways to seal the deal
Color-shifting finishes, dry-erase surfaces, and stain-blocking paints are highlighted in this round up of new offerings in paints, coatings, sealants, and finishes.
| May 14, 2014
Must see: Vertical forest goes up in the heart of Milan
Some 900 trees, 5,000 shrubs, and 11,000 floral plants have been planted on the terraces of Bosco Verticale, a new high-rise residential development in Milan.
| May 13, 2014
Drexel University case study report: Green Globes cheaper, faster than LEED
GBI’s Green Globes certification process is significantly less expensive to conduct and faster to complete than LEED certification, says Drexel prof.
| May 13, 2014
19 industry groups team to promote resilient planning and building materials
The industry associations, with more than 700,000 members generating almost $1 trillion in GDP, have issued a joint statement on resilience, pushing design and building solutions for disaster mitigation.
| May 12, 2014
10 highest-rated green hotels in the U.S.
The ARIA Sky Suites in Las Vegas and the Lenox Hotel in Boston are among the 10 most popular hotels (according to user reviews) to also achieve Platinum status in TripAdvisor's GreenLeaders program.
Smart Buildings | Apr 28, 2014
Cities Alive: Arup report examines latest trends in urban green spaces
From vertical farming to glowing trees (yes, glowing trees), Arup engineers imagine the future of green infrastructure in cities across the world.