On May 17, 2021, the White House announced new federal investments to energy efficiency in buildings and new opportunities to modernize buildings while creating new jobs.[1] The plans include developing the first building performance standards (BPS) for federal buildings. The new BPS will be spearheaded by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and will establish metrics, targets, and tracking methods to reach federal carbon emissions goals. The Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it will invest $30 million into workforce initiatives designed to train people to develop and construct high-performance buildings. In addition, the DOE is launching a low-carbon buildings pilot program, and in coordination with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the program will partner with 55 commercial, industrial and multifamily organizations to participate and share lessons about constructing and developing energy-efficient buildings. The DOE also announced a new initiative in partnership with the Advanced Water Heating Initiative to increase market adoption of heat pump water heaters in residential and commercial buildings.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said that it is launching new residential and commercial sector partnerships to accelerate efficiency and electrification retrofits in underserved residential households through the ENERGY STAR Home Upgrade program. The White House also announced new ENERGY STAR standards to improve heat pump technology and fast chargers for electric vehicles.

[1] https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/05/17/fact-sheet-biden-administration-accelerates-efforts-to-create-jobs-making-american-buildings-more-affordable-cleaner-and-resilient/