The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced more than $240 million in grants to 19 state and local governments to adopt and implement advanced energy-efficient building codes. These initiatives—funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and supported by DOE’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs—aim to reduce utility costs, enhance building resilience, and save lives during extreme climate events. The funding is also part of the Justice40 Initiative, which ensures that 40% of these benefits reach disadvantaged communities.
“State and local governments are taking on advanced, proven solutions that will help save energy bills while making their communities more resilient in the face of climate change – and the Biden-Harris Administration is helping them achieve these goals,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm. “DOE is helping jurisdictions move further and faster in implementing stronger codes that will provide Americans safer, healthier, and more comfortable places to live, work, and play.”