Montgomery County To Require Decarbonized New Construction

Under a new bill, most new buildings will be banned from using natural gas in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and shift to all-electric power.

1 minute read

December 1, 2022, 5:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


View looking up at multi-story building on commercial street in Bethesda, Maryland

Nicole Glass Photography / Bethesda, Maryland

Writing in DCist, Callan Tansill-Suddath describes a new bill passed in Montgomery County that will require most new buildings to be powered exclusively by electricity. “The Comprehensive Building Decarbonization bill, introduced by outgoing At-Large Councilmember Hans Riemer, will require the County Executive to issue all-electric building standards for most new construction in the county.”

According to the article, “Certain buildings will be exempt from the requirements, including commercial kitchens, crematories, and buildings used for manufacturing.” Some types of buildings will get an additional year to meet the new requirements.

The bill comes on the heels of the county’s June 2021 Climate Action Plan, which sets a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2027.

Tuesday, November 29, 2022 in DCist

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.

1 hour ago - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

3 hours ago - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

5 hours ago - The Washington Post