Energy Department Announces Rule to Move Federal Buildings Toward Zero Emissions
The Department of Energy announced a final rule entitled “Clean Energy for New Federal Buildings and Major Renovations of Federal Buildings.” The rule, which implements the Energy Independent and Security Act of 2007, requires federal agencies to phase out fossil fuel usage in new federal building construction or major renovations by achieving a 90 percent reduction in fossil fuel use for new projects started between fiscal years 2025 and 2029 and eliminating on-site fossil fuel usage in new projects beginning in 2030.
The rule applies to new construction and major renovations that exceed certain cost thresholds (in 2024 dollars), including $3.6 million for federally owned public buildings, $3.8 million for federally owned non-public buildings and $1.8 million for leased federal buildings.