Building Codes: Most Important Aspect of Climate Bill

25 July 2009 - 1:00pm

Architect Edward Mazria looks at the climate bill heading to the Senate for approval and argues that its most important part is the section on building energy codes, which he calls "more powerful than 100 nuclear plants".

"Section 201 covers building energy codes—that’s right, building energy codes—that will transform the entire built environment in the U.S. by 2050. That’s because Section 201 affects all new buildings and major renovations, and by 2050 more than three-quarters of the built environment in the U.S. will be either new or renovated."

It includes stipulations that national building codes will be updated to meet ambitious energy saving goals.

Source: Grist, July 24, 2009
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There are limits to the amount of pollution the environment can absorb without reducing ecosystem services and impairing both human health and the sustainability of our economy.