Seattle City Council unanimously approves updates to construction and energy codes
The Seattle City Council approved a bill updating the city's construction and building energy codes in an effort to reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency.
Council Bill 119993 was passed with unanimous 9-0 vote Monday afternoon and will require all new commercial and large multifamily buildings taller than three stories to "improve the building insulation, space heating, water heating, lighting, and renewable energy," according to the bill summary.
"This legislation comes soon after the most recent greenhouse gas inventory shows that our city's emissions have been increasing, including an 8.3% increase in building emissions between 2016 and 2018," said Councilmember Dan Strauss, who is also the chair of the Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee. "With this update, Seattle will now have one of the most forward-thinking energy codes in the country, and we will be setting the example that the rest of the state can follow."
Gas continues to be the leading source of climate pollution in the Evergreen State. According to data from Gov. Jay Inslee's office, homes and buildings cause 27% of the state's climate pollution — more than the industrial sector — and are also the single fastest growing source.
https://www.seattlepi.com/local/seattlenews/article/seattle-city-council-approves-new-energy-code-15915702.php?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=headlines&utm_campaign=spi_itsintheseattlepi&sid=592731d42ddf9c42ae856af0
