Red White and Green?

Jeffrey Spivak reports on the federal government's pioneering efforts in net-zero building design and construction.

2 minute read

March 12, 2012, 12:00 PM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


For those not familiar, "a net-zero building is one that, over the course of a year, produces as much energy as it needs through a combination of technological efficiencies and its own on-site energy generation, such as solar power," notes Spivak.

Although the amount of commercial buildings constructed to this high standard over the past decade can be counted with a few hands, "the federal government has taken net-zero architecture to a new level by incorporating it in larger commercial buildings," writes Spivak.

Such buildings as NASA's Sustainability Base at the Ames Research Center complex near San Jose, California, and the Department of Energy's 220,000-square-foot Research Support Facility at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory campus in Colorado, are introducing pioneering design and technologies not yet found in the private sector.

As it did in leading the way in the adoption of LEED standards at the beginning of the last decade, "it's the federal government that's been the most aggressive in mandating net zero energy for its next generation of buildings," beginning in 2007, reports Spivak.

And the government has set targets for net-zero adoption across all commercial buildings as well. "[T]he Department of Energy's Net-Zero Energy Commercial Building Initiative aims to research and market emerging technologies for net-zero buildings, with a goal of converting half of all public and private commercial buildings to net-zero energy by 2040 and the entire stock of U.S. commercial buildings by 2050."

Monday, March 12, 2012 in Planning

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

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

2 hours ago - Alan Mallach

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.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Public Market sign over Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington with pop-up booths on street.

Seattle’s Pike Place Market Leans Into Pedestrian Infrastructure

After decades of debate, the market is testing a car ban in one of its busiest areas and adding walking links to the surrounding neighborhood.

1 hour ago - Cascade PBS

Yellow and silver light rain train in downtown Long Beach, California.

The World’s Longest Light Rail Line is in… Los Angeles?

In a city not known for its public transit, the 48.5-mile A Line is the longest of its kind on the planet.

3 hours ago - Secret Los Angeles

Man reaching for young girl sliding down playground slide.

Quantifying Social Infrastructure

New developments have clear rules for ensuring surrounding roads, water, and sewers can handle new users. Why not do the same for community amenities?

4 hours ago - Happy Cities