CONSTRUCTION DEFECT JOURNAL

"News and Information for Construction Defect and Claims Professionals"

CONSTRUCTION DEFECT JOURNAL - ISSUE 242749 - THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026

US Energy Dept. Withdraws Federal ‘Zero-Emissions Building’ Definition

Aerial View Earth Half City Half Green

The U.S. Energy Dept. has withdrawn its federal definition of zero-emissions buildings and ended related technical assistance that many states and owners used as a benchmark.

December 22, 2025
Bryan Gottlieb - Engineering News-Record

The U.S. Dept. of Energy has withdrawn the Biden-era federal definition of a “zero-emissions building,” marking another step in the Trump administration’s rollback of climate-focused initiatives and creating uncertainty for states, cities and owners that had informally used the guidance in project planning.

Mr. Gottlieb may be contacted at gottliebb@enr.com


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