What’s the best way to stop expansion of the gas network? Stop connecting to it. Any new building that connects to gas will be connected for a very long time. A great way to reduce gas use in buildings is to incentivize electrification in new buildings.
Last spring, Washington’s State Building Code Council updated building codes to require heat pumps in large and commercial buildings. Vancouver’s city council advocated in support of these State Building Code Council code updates.
Now, the State Building Code Council is considering whether to update energy codes for new residential buildings. These updated codes would require new residences to use electric heat pumps for heating and cooling. Gas cooking would not be affected.
Did you know Vancouver’s Climate Action Framework has a goal of carbon neutrality by 2040? Vancouver will have an easier time reaching this ambitious carbon reduction goal if the State Building Code Council updates residential building codes.
