Amid federal uncertainty, local governments are pressing ahead with building performance policies to cut emissions, improve energy efficiency, and meet climate goals.
In July, the Trump administration proposed revoking the EPA’s 2009 endangerment finding, the legal basis for regulating climate pollution under the Clean Air Act. Critics warn the move would dismantle core protections and weaken the agency’s authority. Last week, the Boston City Council passed a resolution condemning the repeal proposal, citing risks to public health, safety, climate resilience, and the economy, particularly in vulnerable communities like East Boston and Dorchester. The Council urged Congress to restore protections to guard against rising pollution, extreme weather, and sea level rise.
Even before the administration’s proposal, cities had been advancing their own policies.
Last month, New Orleans enacted its first Building Energy Benchmarking ordinance, requiring large buildings over 20,000 square feet to track and report annual energy use. Implementation begins in 2026 for buildings over 50,000 square feet and expands to those over 20,000 square feet in 2027. Backed by $1.5 million in EPA funding, the program aims to cut emissions, improve efficiency, and increase transparency, with first-year penalties waived.
Earlier this year, Evanston, Illinois, approved its Healthy Buildings Ordinance, requiring large buildings to eliminate on-site emissions and transition to renewable energy by 2050, with phased performance standards starting in 2030.
San Francisco is considering legislation to phase out natural gas in buildings undergoing major renovations, building on its 2020 ban for new construction. The measure could cut 45,000 metric tons of carbon emissions annually, about 1 percent of the city’s total, while reducing health and safety risks. A final vote is expected in September.
Other California cities are moving forward as well. Santa Monica plans to introduce its Clean and Healthy Existing Buildings Ordinance next month. West Hollywood is developing Equitable Building Performance Standards with a focus on affordable housing. Ojai is weighing a Flexpath Energy Efficiency Ordinance for medium and large home renovations.
Against this backdrop, cities and states are setting their own performance standards and energy disclosure requirements, creating a patchwork of policies that companies must navigate to stay in compliance. These local actions make clear that as federal leadership retreats from climate regulation, municipalities are not waiting to act.