Policy Options

‘**’ indicates bipartisan support

Appliance Regulations

• **CO HB23-1161 (enacted 2023): requires new gas furnaces and water heaters sold in Colorado to reduce emissions of smog-forming nitrogen dioxide pollution; phases out the sale of mercury-containing fluorescent light bulbs; updates Colorado’s energy and water-saving standards for five products while adding an additional nine products.
• **NJ A5160/S3324 (enacted 2022): updated efficiency standards for a set of 17 household and commercial appliances such as light fixtures and shower heads.
• NY S.9405 (enacted 2022): updated the state’s energy building codes to include considerations of climate impact and mitigation strategies; expanded the list of appliances and products that need to meet energy efficiency standards.

Building Codes and Standards

• MA H.5060 (enacted 2022): gave 10 municipalities the ability to ban fossil fuel hookups in new construction or major renovation projects; allowed only cities and towns that have met the state’s 10% affordable housing target to qualify; required participating municipalities to collect and report detailed data about emission reductions, construction costs and utility bills.
• MD SB 528 (enacted 2022): established a Building Energy Performance Standard, requiring large buildings to be net-zero by 2040.
• New York A.3006 (enacted 2023): included a statewide ban on fossil fuels in new buildings (originally introduced as the standalone policy, the “All-Electric Buildings Act”). Learn more here.

Heating

• CO SB 21-264 (enacted 2021): requires gas distribution utilities to cut emissions from delivering fuel to homes and businesses by 4% by 2025 and by 22% by 2030.
• Vermont S.5 (enacted 2023): creates a performance standard for the heating fuel sector that will reduce climate pollution over time and increase the equitable deployment of cleaner heat options. Learn more here.

Retrofits

• **CO HB23-1252 (enacted 2023): authorizes the Colorado energy office to award grants for retrofitting existing buildings for installation of a geothermal system for heating and cooling; etc.
• MA S2226 (introduced 2021): targets a million retrofits over the next decade, while also creating jobs, with strong worker protections; expands the Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program services and Mass Save programs, while prioritizing environmental justice communities.
• MD H.B.0169 (enacted 2023): requires the Department of Housing and Community Development to develop a plan to provide energy efficiency retrofits to all low–income households.

Tax Credits and Incentives

• CO HB23-1272 (enacted 2023): creates a new tax credit for heat pump technologies and thermal energy networks; extends the state tax credit for installing energy-efficient home heating, cooling and hot water systems.
• NM H.B. 15 (enacted 2021): updates Sustainable Building Tax Credit to require a higher LEED certification to qualify for the credit; provides tax credits for installing energy-conserving products in existing buildings and increased credits for installation of these products in affordable housing.
• UT S.B.188 (enacted 2022): expanded opportunities for low-income individuals and families to receive grants that will help cover the cost of replacing wood-burning fireplaces and appliances with energy-efficient ones.

Workforce Development and Just Transition

• CT S.B.356 (enacted 2021): requires the Department of Housing to establish a housing energy efficiency retrofit program; prioritizes low-income households and applications that use the services of local contractors who pay the prevailing wage and make efforts to hire minority business enterprises.
• **NY S.9422 (enacted 2022): promoted the development of thermal energy networks throughout the state and provided jobs to transitioning utility workers who have lost or are at risk of losing their employment.
• OR H.B.2842 (enacted 2021): creates Healthy Homes Program and invests $10M into energy weatherization for low-income households.