Energy Department Rescinds National Definition of “Zero Emissions” Buildings

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation rescinded its National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building. According to the announcement, "this action lowers costs and promotes freedom of choice in the buildings sector by relieving developers, investors, and building owners of indirect pressure to account for federal guidelines that never had the force or effect of law."

What DOE leadership says

“The interaction of America’s 130 million buildings with our energy system should not be further complicated by arbitrary and imprecise federal guidance,” says Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation Lou Hrkman. “The Department will no longer make use of this definition and recommends that state and local government agencies and standard-setting bodies do the same.”

More information

Originally published by DOE in June of 2024, the definition established discretionary standards for energy efficiency, on-site emissions from energy use, and consumption from “clean” energy sources. These were not regulatory standards, and compliance was purely voluntary. References to the rescinded definition have been removed from DOE’s website and informational resources. DOE will no longer provide technical assistance related to the definition.