Oregon Gov. Kate Brown signed executive orders recently that require all new homes to be zero-energy ready by October 2023. Brown’s action also mandates that new homes built after September 2020 be equipped for solar panel installation.
In addition, by October 2022, all parking structures for new homes and commercial buildings must be wired for at least one electric vehicle charger. This requirement is directed toward a goal of at least 50,000 registered electric vehicles in the state by 2020, a huge increase over just three years from the 16,000 currently on the road, reports The Oregonian.
The goal of Brown's two executive orders is to "drive the state's efforts forward in reducing greenhouse gas emissions," she told reporters after the event. "Buildings, both residential and commercial, consume about 30 percent of Oregon's energy use."
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