LEGISLATIVE SESSION WRAP
Shift Zero flexed its muscles during the 2021 session, championing two bills to move new construction away from operating with fossil fuels and to kick-start the state’s transition from gas. While these comprehensive bills did not pass this session, serious dialogue at the state level about how to equitably decarbonize our buildings will continue, and a number of first steps were enacted. These include eliminating statutes that require the state to expand fossil gas access, launching research for transitioning the gas system, and funding for public building retrofits, weatherization, and building electrification technologies.
In addition, we also celebrated the passage of HB 5141, the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act, which will add measures incorporating environmental justice analysis and decision-making into future state agency actions.
Read more in Shift Zero’s end-of-session recap.
Thank you to our bill sponsors Rep. Alex Ramel, Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, Sen. Marco Liias, Rep. Kirsten Harris-Talley, and Rep. Liz Berry, and to all of the advocates who supported these initiatives during the session. Shift Zero members will work with stakeholders to refine building decarbonization policies and educate policymakers over the summer and fall. If you are interested in participating in this effort, contact rachel@shiftzero.org.
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TACOMA PASSES FOSSIL FUEL FREE RESOLUTION
On April 20th, Tacoma’s City Council unanimously passed a resolution committing the city to constructing all new municipal buildings without use of fossil fuels and dedicating funding for several studies, including research to assess the impact of decarbonizing all new residential and commercial buildings in Tacoma. Thank you to all of the advocates who pushed for this critical first step towards clean and safe buildings! Read more from Shift Zero member Climate Solutions.
CLEAN BUILDINGS ACT
The Clean Buildings Act, which sets building performance standards for larger existing commercial buildings, has completed its rulemaking and set targets. Early adopter incentives are available beginning July 1, 2021. More information and resources can be found on the Commerce website. Note: A Q&A session will be hosted today, May 4 from 12-1p; more information can be found under “Announcements.”
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Built Green Conference - Call for Proposals due June 9. This year’s conference theme is Equitable Futures. More info.
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WHAT WE'RE READING
UPCOMING EVENTS
- May 4: Clean Buildings Live Q&A Session, hosted by the Department of Commerce. More info.
- May 8, 15: Northwest Green Home Virtual Tour
- May 7, 14, and 21: On the Level Webinar Series. Three-part webinar series on air barriers, indoor air quality, balanced ventilation & ERVs/HRVs, hosted by Earth Advantage and supported by BetterBuiltNW. Register.
- May 9 - 15: Affordable Housing Week, Housing Development Consortium. More info.
- May 19: Energy Management Plans for Clean Buildings, from WSU’s Energy Program. Register.
- Ongoing: Earth Advantage's Sustainable Homes Professional training. New online, on-demand format for the entire NW region. Register.
- Ongoing: Chasing Opportunities in the Washington Energy Code, Watch the videos anytime on BetterBuiltNW’s Youtube Channel.
Conferences
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