The Department of Energy finalized a rule on Wednesday to phase out fossil fuel use in federal buildings that are new or have undergone major renovations.
The rule is part of the Biden administration’s efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions for all federal buildings by 2045. It targets on-site fossil fuel combustion, including boilers, heaters, furnaces and emergency generators.
Under the rule, federal agencies are required to cut on-site fossil fuel use by 90 percent — compared with 2003 levels — in new construction and major renovations started between fiscal 2025 and 2029. The new standards also require agencies to eliminate fossil fuel use for buildings constructed after 2030.
“Just as we are helping households and businesses across the nation save money by saving energy, we are doing the same in our own federal buildings,” Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in a press release.
