In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the U.S., the city of Ithaca, N.Y., voted to electrify and decarbonize all buildings within the community—not just municipal buildings.
Ithaca, a community of about 30,000 people, contains about 6,000 homes and buildings. The decarbonization plan would involve regulations on things like how a building is heated and the types of appliances it uses to eliminate consumption of fossil fuels.
This legislation is part of the broader “Green New Deal” that the city approved in 2019. That measure calls for city government to meet all its electricity needs with renewable energy by 2025 and reduce its vehicle emissions by half. It also set an ambitious goal of being a carbon-neutral city by the end of the decade.
Building improvements could include swapping natural gas and propane cooking stoves with electric induction cooktops and installing solar panels. Cornell University is working on modeling to help inform what buildings to address first. The program is likely to unfold in two phases—the first covering 1,600 buildings, and then another 4,400 in a second wave.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jul 26, 2017
New ISO standard on video fire detectors will help identify fires more quickly
The standard marks the first comprehensive international specification for this equipment.
Codes and Standards | Jul 25, 2017
Geotechnical solutions prevent building distress due to expansive clay soils
The condition is the most common geologic hazard in the U.S.
Codes and Standards | Jul 24, 2017
Non-union labor gaining ground in New York City
President of contractors’ group says competitive pricing is spurring more open shops.
Codes and Standards | Jul 20, 2017
New tallest tower west of the Mississippi built to stringent seismic standards
L.A.’s new 1,100-foot skyscraper dominates city’s skyline.
Codes and Standards | Jul 20, 2017
Chicago rises to the top of U.S. cities in percentage of LEED or Energy Star office buildings
Certified office buildings reach 66% in windy city.
Codes and Standards | Jul 19, 2017
Economic impacts of climate change will jump over next two decades
Average annual cost to buildings and infrastructure from eastern storms to rise by $7.3 billion.
Codes and Standards | Jul 18, 2017
Energy modeling yields accuracy within 4%, says new study
Results of the study support the usefulness of the practice.
Codes and Standards | Jul 13, 2017
Net Zero Energy rebranded as ‘Zero Energy’
ILF aims to make new certification the sole standard for highest performing buildings.
Codes and Standards | Jul 13, 2017
New York City creates $10 million fund to help women- and minority-owned firms win construction contracts
The money is earmarked for up to $500,000 surety bonds per contract.
Codes and Standards | Jul 12, 2017
New International Building Code allows weather-resistive barriers above 40 feet
Danger of propagating flames now deemed negligible.