Colorado’s Air Quality Control Commission adopted building energy performance standards Aug. 17 aimed at decreasing operational carbon and associated greenhouse gas emissions in most buildings 50,000 sq ft or bigger. The goal of Regulation 28, set by a 2021 state law, is to cut qualifying buildings’ GHG emissions by 7% by 2026 and 20% by 2030, compared against 2021 levels. The rule applies to about 8,000 buildings, many of which might need energy retrofits.
Regulation 28 is part of Colorado’s drive to cut GHGs statewide by 50% by 2030 and 90% by 2050, compared against 2005 levels. Colorado is among a handful of states that have adopted a building performance standard, according to the Institute for Market Transformation. Others include Washington, California and Maryland.
