The Local Green Building Policies Showing the Way for the Green New Deal

The heating and cooling of buildings must be addressed if the United States is going to curb its emissions.

1 minute read

April 2, 2019, 7:00 AM PDT

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


Kaiser LEED Certified Building

Ted Eytan / Flickr

The Green New Deal (GND) had a lot to say about making American buildings more efficient. Proposals for creating better building efficiency were among the most criticized before the first bill on the issue was voted down. But there’s no getting around the role heating and cooling buildings plays in climate change. "Buildings are responsible for about 40 percent of the greenhouse gases in the US. Those emissions come, in part, from the fossil fuels (primarily natural gas these days but also heating oil) burned to heat (and cool) the water and space inside buildings," David Roberts writes for Vox.

While some have characterized policies to limit building emissions as unworkably bureaucratic, there are many cities and states already addressing the issue. Policies in California, like rebates offered by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, push for electrification in new buildings. In New York City, legislation is trying to take on existing buildings. "The city council is now considering a remarkable bill, championed by Councilmember Costa Constantinides, that would mandate a 40 percent reduction in emissions from large buildings by 2030, rising to 80 percent by 2050," Roberts reports.

Cities like Minneapolis, Boise, Boulder, and Washington D.C. also have policies in the works to address these issues. Supporters of the GND hope federal legislation can learn from the successes of local level policies.

Wednesday, March 20, 2019 in Vox

View form second story inside Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota with escalators and model cars parked on downstairs floor.

The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall

The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.

March 21, 2024 - Governing

View of Austin, Texas skyline with river in foreground during morning golden hour.

The Paradox of American Housing

How the tension between housing as an asset and as an essential good keeps the supply inadequate and costs high.

March 26, 2024 - The Atlantic

Houston, Texas skyline.

Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities

The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.

March 22, 2024 - Urban Edge

Aerial view of Anchorage, Alaska downtown with mountains in background at golden hour.

Anchorage Leaders Debate Zoning Reform Plan

Last year, the city produced the fewest new housing units in a decade.

5 hours ago - Anchorage Daily News

Young man in wheelchair crossing zebra crosswalk.

How to Protect Pedestrians With Disabilities

Public agencies don’t track traffic deaths and injuries involving disabled people, leaving a gap in data to guide safety interventions.

6 hours ago - Governing

Aerial view of mountain town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado in the winter with snow at dusk.

Colorado Town Fills Workforce Housing Need With ‘Dorm-Style’ Housing

Median rent in Steamboat Springs is $4,000 per month.

7 hours ago - CBS News

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.