Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently released a proposal for beefed up building codes and related actions to improve energy efficiency in New York State.
The Advanced Building Codes, Appliance and Equipment Efficiency Standards Act of 2021 would “significantly strengthen the state's building codes, improve energy and water efficiency, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in New York State,” according to a statement from the governor’s office. The proposal would save New Yorkers $15 billion, with 40% of savings benefitting low- and moderate-income households, and it would reduce carbon emissions by 1.4 million tons annually, the Cuomo Administration says.
“This comprehensive legislation reduces energy and water consumption, makes sure substandard products will be removed from the market, and enhances the quality of products available, all while reducing emissions that contribute to climate change,” Cuomo says. Strengthening the energy code as proposed would allow the state to establish new energy efficiency standards for buildings, such as requiring greenhouse gas emission reduction in the design criteria.
The legislation expands appliance standards categories to cover a wider range of products and prevents appliances that do not meet minimum performance levels from being sold, leased, or installed. New York is on a path to achieving its mandated goal of a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70% renewable energy generation by 2030, and to reach economy-wide carbon neutrality, according to the Administration’s statement.
Related Stories
| Dec 4, 2013
Rotterdam resiliency policies include floating neighborhood
The low-lying city of Rotterdam in the Netherlands is a world leader in storm resiliency with policies that impact businesses, private homes, and public infrastructure.
| Dec 4, 2013
Meet the 'world's greenest building': One Angel Square
The 500,000 sf, 14-story One Angel Square in Manchester, England, is being promoted as "the most environmentally-friendly building in the world."
| Dec 3, 2013
Architects urge government to reform design-build contracting process
Current federal contracting laws are discouraging talented architects from competing for federal contracts, depriving government and, by inference, taxpayers of the best design expertise available, according to AIA testimony presented today on Capitol Hill.
| Nov 27, 2013
ASHRAE data center standard open for public review
Standard 90.4P, Energy Standard for Data Centers and Telecommunications Buildings, is being developed in response to requests to recognize the energy performance profiles unique to data centers.
| Nov 27, 2013
Ohio legislators move to ban use of LEED on public construction
Two Ohio state senators have introduced legislation that seeks to ban the use of LEED in public construction.
| Nov 27, 2013
ASTM issues revised standard on phase I environmental site assessments
ASTM has issued revised standard ASTM E1527-13 that governs phase I environmental site assessments.
| Nov 27, 2013
Vancouver, B.C., bans doorknobs in building code update
The goal of making it easier for people to age in place led to amendments to Vancouver, B.C.’s building code including banning doorknobs in favor of lever handles.
| Nov 22, 2013
Kieran Timberlake, PE International develop BIM tool for green building life cycle assessment
Kieran Timberlake and PE International have developed Tally, an analysis tool to help BIM users keep better score of their projects’ complete environmental footprints.
| Nov 20, 2013
WDMA receives final approval on code amendments
The Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) was granted final approval of several amendments it proposed to the 2015 editions of the International Residential Code (IRC), International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), and International Existing Building Code (IEBC).
| Nov 20, 2013
Safe Jobs Act would provide more protection for New York City construction workers
Legislation that would require safety training for construction workers on public projects in New York City has been introduced to the City Council.
