Federal Buildings to Phase Out Gas Appliances under Biden Administration

The Biden Administration has recently issued final regulations that prohibit the use of natural gas in new and renovated federal buildings, as announced by the Department of Energy here.

The Clean Energy for New Federal Buildings and Major Renovations of Federal Buildings Rule is designed to decrease pollution, enhance air quality, and generate well-paying employment opportunities, as per the government’s official statement.

“The Biden-Harris Administration is leading by example,” expressed Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm regarding her department’s regulation. “Just as we are assisting households and companies nationwide in saving money through energy conservation, we are implementing the same principles in federal buildings.”

“President Biden has directed the Federal Government to demonstrate initiative by revamping its portfolio of over 300,000 structures to be more energy-efficient and climate-resistant, resulting in cleaner air and more secure communities across the nation,” stated White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory.

The new regulation mandates federal agencies to eliminate the use of fossil fuels in new and renovated federal buildings by 2025 and fully eradicate on-site consumption in new projects by 2030.

“This action today will help our Federal Government meet President Biden’s ambitious Federal sustainability objectives while creating well-paying jobs, saving taxpayers’ money, and constructing healthier, more robust communities,” added Mallory.

This regulation aligns with previous mandates in New York City and Los Angeles, which have also prohibited gas appliances in new residential constructions.

This prohibition contrasts with past declarations made by the Biden Administration. In 2023, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre affirmed, “The president does not endorse the banning of gas stoves. And the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an independent entity, is not banning gas stoves.”

The Department of Energy predicts that the new mandate will diminish carbon emissions from federal buildings by 2 million metric tons over the next three decades, equivalent to the emissions produced by 310,000 homes in one year.