Sixteen years out from a 2007 law that aimed to end the use of fossil fuels in federal buildings, gas heat is still being installed within the federal sphere.
The intent of the law was to phase out fossil fuel-generated energy consumption by 2030. The slow implementation of this carbon-free policy demonstrates how difficult it can be to achieve environmental targets set forth in well-intended, ambitious legislation.
Pushback from the fossil fuel industry has contributed to a slower conversion to fossil fuel-free buildings than was envisioned when the law was signed, says an NPR report. It is a warning to the Biden administration that sweeping laws such as the Inflation Reduction Act and subsequent dispersion of money do not guarantee that climate goals will be achieved, the report asserts.
The Energy Department was charged with developing a rule to implement the fossil-free policy within a year of the law’s enactment. But that never happened, at least partially the result of gas industry pushback, and federal properties continue to opt for natural gas as a heat source. The lesson is that crafting and passing complex climate legislation is one thing, but achieving results in the field is quite another.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Mar 1, 2019
$1 billion Boston hospital project to include extensive disaster resiliency features
Mass. General expansion will be designed for four days of shelter in place.
Codes and Standards | Mar 1, 2019
U.S. cities have become more dangerous for bicyclists and pedestrians
Reduced speed limits, traffic calming, better education seen as keys to improvement.
Codes and Standards | Feb 28, 2019
High-income renters now the fastest-growing housing market segment
Growth is fastest in mid-sized cities with strong economies.
Codes and Standards | Feb 27, 2019
Katerra launches software platform for ‘entire lifecycle of the building process’
Firm is accepting industry applicants to test the product.
Codes and Standards | Feb 26, 2019
AAMA updates two specifications for test methods related to seismic drift
For evaluating window wall, curtain wall and storefront systems.
Codes and Standards | Feb 22, 2019
California’s carbon reduction goals to be aided by programs to convert heating, hot water systems
Switch from propane to electricity is critical to plan.
Codes and Standards | Feb 21, 2019
Researchers develop software that can calculate potential solar energy yield at any location
Accounts for dynamic shading from trees, buildings and other structures.
Codes and Standards | Feb 20, 2019
Hospitals not making much progress in reducing their carbon footprint
Energy benchmarking survey shows flat emissions pattern over past 20 years.
Codes and Standards | Feb 15, 2019
Super Bowl stadium helps alleviate Atlanta’s flood problems
Capacity to store more than 2 million gallons of storm water on site.
Codes and Standards | Feb 14, 2019
ISO publishes first global BIM standards
Based on British standard and a publicly available standard.
