This week in buildings, land and industrial decarbonization news, Inside Climate News wrote about an issue that might be familiar to anybody who has ever rented an apartment where the heating bill was not separate from the monthly rent. New York City is requiring building owners to release greenhouse gas emissions data, and a key driver of higher emissions comes from inefficient heating. Many renters who cannot control their heat will open a window to bring down the temperature to their liking, wasting energy in the process. The heating systems in question are often old, steam-based setups that wind up producing far more heat than needed.

On the other side of the country, Politico Pro’s ClimateWire reported that the California Energy Commission had to pause a home energy rebate system because of a funding freeze from the Trump administration. The home energy rebate program was part of Biden administration policies, and the new White House’s impoundment spree has caused other states to push pause on such programs as well. 

The Rhode Island Current has the details on a recent PUC decision in the state fining Rhode Island Energy $7.9 million for fraud. The case dates back to the utility’s previous ownership, National Grid (PPL has since bought the utility.), when it knowingly misfiled invoices for energy efficiency programs over an eight-year period and overcharged customers $2.2 million. Gov. Dan McKee (D) said the settlement holds National Grid accountable while putting up protections to prevent similar issues going forward. 

Congress voted to withdraw some late Biden-era efficiency standards using the Congressional Review Act, the Washington Examiner reported. The standards cover dishwashers, heat pumps, dehumidifiers, air conditioners and other consumer goods. The CRA only requires a simple majority in the Senate, so Democrats cannot stop it on their own. 

Read more stories from this week’s Intelligence Report: