A new Biden Administration rule bans the use of fossil fuels in new federal buildings beginning in 2030.
The announcement came despite longstanding opposition to the rule by the natural gas industry. New federal buildings constructed between 2025 and 2029 must achieve a 90% decrease in fossil fuel consumption compared to 2003 levels.
New buildings or ones substantially renovated during and beyond 2030 cannot have any on-site fossil fuel use. The mandate was authorized by a 2007 energy law signed by President George W. Bush.
Over the next 30 years, the rule is expected to cut carbon emissions by 2 million metric tons and methane emissions by 16 thousand tons.
Related Stories
| Aug 11, 2010
Douglas County sheriff's station blends in with Colorado town
Ground has been broken on the Douglas County Sheriff Substation in Highlands Ranch, Colo. The 36,000-sf law enforcement facility features large translucent wall panels that blend the building in with the architectural features of the neighboring Highlands Ranch Town Center. The substation, designed by Pahl Architecture and built by Mark Young Construction, is on track for LEED Silver certificat...
| Aug 11, 2010
New building focuses on public safety
The $40 million public safety building for the city of El Cajon, Calif., is under construction and slated for completion in June 2011. The five-story, 119,400-sf building will house the city’s administrative offices, a joint police and fire emergency operations center, central data center, indoor firing range, crime lab, and short-term custody facility.
| Aug 11, 2010
Citizenship building in Texas targets LEED Silver
The Department of Homeland Security's new U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services facility in Irving, Texas, was designed by 4240 Architecture and developed by JDL Castle Corporation. The focal point of the two-story, 56,000-sf building is the double-height, glass-walled Ceremony Room where new citizens take the oath.
| Aug 11, 2010
29 Great Solutions
1. Riverwalk Transforms Chicago's Second Waterfront Chicago has long enjoyed a beautiful waterfront along Lake Michigan, but the Windy City's second waterfront along the Chicago River was often ignored and mostly neglected. Thanks to a $22 million rehab by local architect Carol Ross Barney and her associate John Fried, a 1.
