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This week in buildings, land and industry decarbonization news, NetZero Insider’s John Cropley reports that one culture war battle over stoves fizzled out as the Department of Energy released efficiency standards that do not ban natural gas stoves. DOE expects the standards, which are already met by 97% of gas stoves on the market, will save $1.6 billion over 30 years. Politico has a rundown on the politics of DOE’s announcement., suggesting the buy-in from multiple interest groups means the standards will be safer from litigation.
In related news, Grist reports that Chicago is considering becoming the first Midwest city to ban natural gas in new construction, a proposal that faces opposition from unions, with the Chicago Tribune editorializing that the issue should be left to state policymakers.
Axios reports that Seattle will require that buildings reach net-zero emissions by 2050, with existing buildings over 20,000 square feet having to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets starting in 2031. Only nine cities and counties across the country have similar rules, Axios said.
Inside Climate News has a well reported story on how Clairton, Pa. is dealing with a coking plant that is responsible for 60% of the industrial emissions in Allegheny County. A 2020 study showed that 22% of children living near the Clairton plant have asthma, three times the national average. The plant has racked up fines for pollution, but it also supports 3,000 jobs in the steel industry, which has seen massive declines in recent decades.
One way being explored to cut pollution from the steel industry is hydrogen and a plant outside Chicago has recently successfully tested the fuel in running a blast furnace.,
Here are other stories in this week’s Intelligence Report:
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Cooking
U.S.
Republicans and some centrist Democrats spent months last year defending the fossil-fuel-powered appliances against a threat that the Biden administration had never actually made: banishing the stoves from Americans' kitchens. Politco
Illinois
The Clean and Affordable Buildings Ordinance, introduced by Mayor Brandon Johnson during the first city council meeting of the year last week, would effectively phase out fossil fuel-based appliances and heating systems in new construction and substantially improved buildings. The new rule would take effect within a year of approval. Grist
U.S.
Not surprisingly, the research showed the biggest barrier to adding heat pumps and other decarbonizing equipment to American homes was money. Clean Technica
Space Cooling & Heating
Vermont
Vermonters are installing cold-climate heat pumps at high rates, according to new data from Efficiency Vermont. Vermont ranks first in New England for heat pump installations per capita, having installed roughly 63,000 heat pumps in homes and businesses, Efficiency Vermont reported. That's 97 heat pumps for every 1,000 Vermont residents. Vermont Digger
Illinois
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson introduced an ordinance Jan. 24 that would effectively ban natural gas hookups in new construction and additions over 10,000 square feet. Over a dozen co-sponsors joined Johnson in supporting the legislation. Smart Cities Dive
Washington
The new building efficiency standards Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell signed into law last month are expected to reduce Seattle's building sector emissions by 27% -- and overall citywide emissions by 10% -- by 2050. Axios
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International
The sector, which includes iron and steel, chemicals, cement, and food and drink, emits around a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions. TechXplore
U.S.
The Department of Energy is earmarking $254 million for industrial businesses to cut greenhouse gas emissions and expedite the development of innovative carbon technologies, according to a Jan. 25 news release. Facilities Dive
Steel
Illinois
This marks the first time the city has introduced a building decarbonization ordinance, a city employee said. The proposal drew swift backlash from the local gas industry. Utility Dive
Indiana
Following the successful trial at Middletown Works in May 2023, this represents the second Cleveland-Cliffs blast furnace to integrate hydrogen as a reductant and fuel source. Yahoo
Pennsylvania
The debate over a pollution permit in Clairton, home to the nation's largest coke plant, pits environmental groups and residents concerned about public health against U.S. Steel and its supporters. Inside Climate News
U.S.
The only solution to cleaning up the renewable energy is by sourcing domestically made steel products, writes Tom Muth, chief operating officer for Zekelman Industries. Power Magazine
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