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The Role of Renewable Natural Gas in the ZeroCarbon Step Code



Pembina Institute has a new "primer for B.C. local governments to decarbonize the

building sector" by Jessica McIlroy June 2023



The question is how to get local governments to act boldly and to "opt in to the new Zero Carbon Step Code" which empowers "them with the authority to regulate carbon performance within their city limits." How many councils will direct their building, planning, and engineering departments to move on builders and developers to build better and stop allowing any gas hookups in new buildings?


Summary

The Zero Carbon Step Code is a game changing tool and when combined with the Energy Step Code, has the potential to allow local governments to drive down carbon emissions alongside energy use. While the highest tier of the Zero Carbon Step Code prevents the use of fossil gas for space and hot water heating, and appliances, it still allows for connection to the gas system for the supply of renewable natural gas (RNG). With the continued use of renewable natural gas and allowance for fossil gas connections for water heating and cooking, we see risks that local governments should be aware of in continuing to build out natural gas infrastructure and allowing it to be installed for heating in new buildings.


This paper is a resource for B.C. local governments to better understand the role of and

relationship between building codes/performance and RNG and other low-carbon fuels in decarbonizing the building sector. We caution that building code decisions that lock in the use of RNG for heating and cooling buildings can saddle building owners and operators with costly infrastructure expenditures for many years to come and result in missed medium- and long-term climate emissions reduction and resiliency targets.


Read the whole paper PDF download


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