On August 27, 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration announced that over $240 million will be allocated to nineteen state and local governments for the adoption and implementation of advanced energy-efficient or innovative building codes. This initiative is part of the administration's Investing in America agenda, aimed at reducing utility costs for residents and commercial building operators while combating climate change.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) stated that these improvements are expected to enhance grid resilience and save lives during extreme weather conditions. Funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and administered through DOE’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs, these grants complement additional support from the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“State and local governments are taking on advanced, proven solutions that will help save energy bills while making their communities more resilient in the face of climate change – and the Biden-Harris Administration is helping them achieve these goals,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm. “DOE is helping jurisdictions move further and faster in implementing stronger codes that will provide Americans safer, healthier, and more comfortable places to live, work, and play.”
The National Building Performance Standard Coalition estimates that approximately 25% of commercial buildings fall under a building performance standard, potentially benefiting nearly 74 million people. Homes built to current model energy codes are reported to be almost 40% more efficient than those constructed fifteen years ago.
The nineteen selectees funded by the IRA will receive direct technical assistance for adopting traditional energy codes, zero energy codes, and building performance standards. These efforts align with the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims for 40 percent of certain federal investment benefits to flow to disadvantaged communities.
Selected projects include:
- Cincinnati, Ohio: Leading a team including Cleveland, Columbus, and Dayton with $10M for developing a building performance standard.
- Kansas City, Missouri: Receiving $9M for a comprehensive public engagement plan alongside a new building performance standard.
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Awarded $19.8M to maximize emissions reductions from large buildings.
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Granted $9M for implementing a data-driven building performance standard.
- Colorado: Allocated $20M for statewide technical assistance tailored to disadvantaged communities.
- Hawaii: Provided $18.1M for cost-reducing measures within its new building performance standard.
- Massachusetts (with Boston and Cambridge): Receiving $19.9M for capacity-building initiatives in Justice40 communities.
- New York City: Awarded $19.9M to enhance compliance support for multifamily buildings.
For further details on all selected projects or information on applying for future funding rounds closing on September 13, 2024, visit Infrastructure Exchange under Record Number DE-RD2-0003056.
