In response to the need for more energy-efficient infrastructure, many cities and states across the U.S. are adopting advanced building energy codes with the help of newly allocated federal grants.
These grants are part of broader federal initiatives, including the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provide financial and technical assistance to municipalities looking to modernize their building standards. These efforts are reshaping urban sustainability and efficiency.
Federal Support for Local Action
In 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) allocated over $240 million to assist cities and states in implementing innovative energy codes and building performance standards. These codes are crucial because they reduce utility costs for residents and improve resilience to extreme weather events by ensuring that buildings maintain better energy performance during disruptions. Grants from the DOE aim to accelerate these efforts, providing the financial backing necessary to transition to modern codes and standards for residential and commercial buildings.
Case Studies in Modernization
Seattle’s Ambitious Energy Code Upgrades
Seattle is one of the leading cities leveraging federal grants to push energy efficiency forward. The DOE awarded the city $17.2 million to support the implementation of its Building Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS). This initiative targets both multifamily and commercial properties, aiming to reduce climate pollution by mandating emissions reductions over time. The grant also supports climate equity efforts, engaging fellows from the Climate Corps program to work with communities disproportionately affected by climate change. These efforts align with Seattle’s broader goal to meet its climate targets under the Seattle 2030 District framework.
The focus on BEPS illustrates how cities are moving beyond traditional energy codes to performance-based standards, where buildings must meet specific energy outcomes rather than just comply with prescriptive requirements. This shift is expected to significantly improve the energy efficiency of both new and existing structures in the city.
New York City’s Push for Building Performance
New York City has similarly embraced innovative building codes to address climate challenges. With support from the DOE and funds derived from the IRA, the city is expanding the implementation of its building performance standards, particularly in multifamily buildings. The focus here is twofold: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy equity by targeting energy improvements in underserved communities.
By leveraging federal grants, New York is not only updating codes for new buildings but also implementing policies to retrofit older buildings to meet higher energy standards. This approach is critical in a dense urban environment like New York, where many buildings predate modern energy codes.
The Impact of Federal Funding
The federal government’s financial commitment extends beyond individual cities. DOE grants are being distributed to states and local governments across the U.S., encouraging them to adopt the latest model energy codes published by organizations like the International Code Council and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Homes and buildings constructed to these codes are projected to be nearly 40% more energy-efficient than those built 15 years ago.
States and cities receiving these grants also benefit from direct technical assistance provided by the DOE, which helps ensure successful adoption and enforcement of new codes. This comprehensive approach supports long-term resilience, helping buildings maintain comfort and safety even during extreme weather events or extended power outages.
Building a More Resilient Future
These new energy codes also contribute to broader goals such as improving grid stability and reducing carbon emissions. By enforcing higher efficiency standards, cities can decrease the overall energy demand, especially during peak usage times. This not only lowers operational costs, it also eases the strain on energy infrastructure, helping prevent outages.
Moreover, the push for updated building performance standards complements other clean energy efforts, such as the deployment of solar panels and electric vehicle infrastructure. The DOE’s investment in these interconnected strategies reflects a holistic approach to creating sustainable, resilient communities.
The federal government’s investment in updated energy codes represents a pivotal step toward a more energy-efficient and climate-resilient future. Cities like Seattle and New York City are at the forefront of these efforts, using DOE grants to implement advanced building standards that will reduce emissions, improve energy equity, and enhance community resilience.
GPRS is uniquely positioned to guide energy infrastructure improvements and construction projects with our 99.8%+ accurate utility locating and concrete scanning, NASSCO-certified video pipe inspections, pinpoint-accurate leak detection, 2-4mm accurate 3D laser scanning, and innovative mapping & modeling services.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can ground penetrating radar (GPR) be used to verify known measurements?
GPRS’ SIM-certified Project Managers can use GPR to cross-check the measured depth and location of a located utility with existing as-built plans to verify the accuracy of those plans.
What types of concrete scanning does GPRS provide?
GPRS provides two specific but different scanning services: elevated concrete slab scanning and concrete slab-on-grade locating. Elevated concrete slab scanning involves detecting embedded electrical conduits, rebar, post-tension cables, and more before core drilling a hole through the slab. Performing a concrete slab-on-grade locating service typically involves scanning a trench line for conduits before conducting saw cutting and trenching to install a sanitary pipe, water line, or something similar.
What size pipes can GPRS inspect?
Our NASSCO-certified VPI Project Managers have the capabilities to inspect pipes from 2” in diameter and up.
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