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
| Nov 10, 2011
California seismic codes spur flurry of hospital projects
New seismic requirements in California are helping to drive a flurry of new projects and retrofits in the state’s health care sector.
| Nov 10, 2011
Senate ready to repeal 3% withholding on government contracts
The U.S. Senate is set to approve legislation that would eliminate a law requiring federal, state, and local governments to withhold 3% of their payments to contractors and companies doing business with the government.
| Nov 10, 2011
New legislation aimed at improving energy efficiency in federal buildings
Recently introduced legislation, the “High-Performance Federal Buildings Act,” would help federal agencies save energy and money by improving building performance.
| Nov 4, 2011
CSI and ICC Evaluation Service agree to reference GreenFormat in ICC-ES Environmental Reports?
ICC-ES currently references CSI's MasterFormat and other formats in all of its evaluation reports. The MOU will add GreenFormat references.
| Nov 3, 2011
House Votes to Kill 3% Withholding Requirement; Senate Yet to Vote
The U.S. House of Representatives voted last week to repeal a 3% IRS withholding tax on businesses that do work for the government.
| Nov 3, 2011
OSHA Publishes Information on Rights and Safety
OSHA recently published new and revised information that explains workers’ and employers’ rights, as well as how to protect workers from hazards in the construction industry.
| Nov 3, 2011
Sierra Club Critical of Albuquerque Mayor’s Push to Weaken Green Code
The mayor’s plan to move to a less environmentally friendly code would mean confusion for people in the construction industry and a loss of energy efficiency and money for consumers, said Shrayas Jatkar of the Sierra Club.
| Nov 3, 2011
Lax Code Enforcement Blamed for Deaths in Turkey’s Earthquake
Despite tough safety codes approved a decade ago after earthquakes killed 18,000 people, lax enforcement led to hundreds of deaths after a recent earthquake in Turkey.
| Nov 3, 2011
International Green Construction Code Will Provide Template for Local Codes
A uniform code for green construction is being readied for publication in March.
| Oct 31, 2011
NIST issues new code requirements
Buildings taller than 420 feet are now required to include an extra exit stairwell or a specially designed elevator that occupants can use for evacuations.
