No. It’s about how the US has a model building code, and the fossil methane utilities blocked it from requiring the wiring for EVs, heat pumps, and electric stoves and ovens to be installed in new construction. Most local governments just adopt the model code blindly, so what goes into the model code has significant ramifications in terms of fossil fuel use in new construction in the US.
Worth pointing out the difference between standards and codes, here.
The standards are what we’re really talking about. The codes get copied from the standards, but there’s no requirement that they be – it’s just a lot easier for a locality to set the code to be “follow the standard.”
The standards are not prepared by the government. They’re separate entities, and nothing stops actual municipalities from varying/changing them or even outright ignoring them, at least absent a different superseding law (e.g., if your state law wipes out county/city laws). The main reason this is not done more frequently is, unfortunately, simple liability. A municipality that replaces a standard in their code exposes itself to lawsuits if people can claim the modified code hurt them, even if the code is provably less harmful than the standard.
For people who want to see the state of climate/“codes”, as always, I will refer you to a recent David Roberts Interview. The state of things right now are not good and, unfortunately, a looming Trump re-election threatens things will get very much worse. But there are approaches here.
No. It’s about how the US has a model building code, and the fossil methane utilities blocked it from requiring the wiring for EVs, heat pumps, and electric stoves and ovens to be installed in new construction. Most local governments just adopt the model code blindly, so what goes into the model code has significant ramifications in terms of fossil fuel use in new construction in the US.
Worth pointing out the difference between standards and codes, here.
The standards are what we’re really talking about. The codes get copied from the standards, but there’s no requirement that they be – it’s just a lot easier for a locality to set the code to be “follow the standard.”
The standards are not prepared by the government. They’re separate entities, and nothing stops actual municipalities from varying/changing them or even outright ignoring them, at least absent a different superseding law (e.g., if your state law wipes out county/city laws). The main reason this is not done more frequently is, unfortunately, simple liability. A municipality that replaces a standard in their code exposes itself to lawsuits if people can claim the modified code hurt them, even if the code is provably less harmful than the standard.
For people who want to see the state of climate/“codes”, as always, I will refer you to a recent David Roberts Interview. The state of things right now are not good and, unfortunately, a looming Trump re-election threatens things will get very much worse. But there are approaches here.