Washington, DC, Aims to Ban Fossil Fuel in New Construction

Regulators at all levels – federal, state, and local – seek to address climate concerns. On June 27, Washington, DC, joined localities banning natural-gas hookups when Mayor Muriel Bowser signed an ordinance limiting use of fossil fuels like natural gas in newly constructed buildings and adding in various other climate-focused emissions limits.

Highlights of the new ordinance:

‘Net-Zero Emissions’ by 2026. The Clean Energy DC Building Code Amendment Act of 2023, available here, requires the mayor to adopt regulations ensuring all new construction or significant renovations to existing buildings be completed under a ‘net-zero emissions’ energy standard by 2026.