The US Department of Energy (DOE) has released its first comprehensive plan to combat climate change by reducing building emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG). Federal agencies are working together to achieve four strategic objectives and reach “near-zero” emissions in the near future.
The DOE has introduced a new National Blueprint for the Building Sector with the goal of cutting GHG emissions from buildings by 65% by 2035 and 90% by 2050. Developed in collaboration with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other federal agencies, this plan is the first of its kind to have a significant impact on GHG emissions across the sector.
“America’s building sector is responsible for over a third of harmful emissions that affect our air and health. The Biden-Harris Administration has put forth a forward-thinking strategy to reduce these pollutants from buildings nationwide,” stated U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm.
The DOE and the Biden-Harris Administration have created a “comprehensive” plan to revolutionize energy consumption in residential, educational, and commercial buildings. They believe that the Blueprint will not only lower utility bills but also enhance community health.
The Blueprint is centered around four main goals:
- Increase building energy efficiency
- Accelerate onsite GHG reductions
- Transform the “grid edge” (interactions between buildings and the electricity grid)
- Minimize emissions from building materials
The plan predicts that reducing 90% of GHG emissions will save consumers over $100 billion in annual energy costs and prevent $17 billion in air pollution-related healthcare expenses.
The DOE’s national plan aims to meet specific performance and technology milestones by 2035 and 2050. Achieving these targets will require a rapid deployment of energy efficiency and decarbonization technologies. The US government will lead federal efforts to increase this deployment, while technological advancements are crucial for the plan’s success.
Washington intends to provide direct investment and financial support to develop affordable, low-carbon technologies, collaborating with state, local, and tribal authorities to meet ambitious decarbonization objectives. The plan focuses on innovations in building upgrades, efficient electrification, and smart controls.
The new decarbonization plan includes specific provisions for marginalized communities, which often face energy insecurity due to high energy costs. According to the US Census Bureau, one in five American households is at least one month behind on energy bills. These communities are most vulnerable to pollution and poor energy efficiency. The National Blueprint aims to address this issue by prioritizing affordability, reducing energy expenses, and enhancing resilience to power outages and extreme weather events linked to climate change.
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