Author Archives: Thad Curtz

B1.1 Residential energy performance ratings * Require energy performance ratings and disclosures for homes at time of sale, lease, or rent so that owners, tenants, and prospective buyers are informed before making purchasing or rental decisions. The local jurisdictions are … Continue reading →

B1.5 Property tax credit Create a property tax credit for property owners who participate in energy efficiency. Virginia and Maryland have enabling statutes that allow municipalities to grant property tax credits, or establish separate tax rates, for energy efficient buildings. … Continue reading →

W4.11 Regional recycling Develop a regional recycling facility and build local markets for materials. SB6430, which is currently in the Legislature, would establish a statewide industrial waste coordination program to support and coordinate existing collaborations where underutilized resources of one … Continue reading →

B3.4 Exemplary buildings * Create a Zero-Energy Building Challenge by partnering with public, private, non-profit and faith-based organizations. Facilitate rapid deployment and public awareness of high-profile demonstration buildings that use innovative energy efficiency and/or technology. Shift Zero and Passive House … Continue reading →

B3.2 Efficiency rebate Adopt “energy efficiency as a service” utility rebate model to direct energy savings to building owners who bear the costs of energy efficiency retrofits. Energy efficiency as a service (EEaaS) – or simply Energy as a Service … Continue reading →

T1.9 Accessory dwelling units * Amend development codes to allow for attached and detached ADU’s in urban residential areas. SB6231, which passed the Legislature in 2020, includes adding an ADU under the three year property tax exemption for remodeling projects … Continue reading →

W6.8 Reusable takeout Amend health code to allow reusable take out containers. They are not cheap… Some restaurants run programs like Dig’s, in which you pay $3/month to enroll in a program where you bring the dishes back and they … Continue reading →

W6.5 Product stewardship Actively support new state and national product stewardship legislation that requires producers to be involved in end-of- product-life management, either through product design changes (e.g. compostable snack bags), investing in take back programs, or placing a fee … Continue reading →

W6.9 Single-use ban Ban single use plastics (e.g. straws, water bottles). SB 5077, introduced in the Legislature last session, would ban single use plastic straws, with some minor exceptions. (The bill passed the Senate, and passed out of committee in … Continue reading →

B2.11 Increase use of low carbon building materials Create incentives or requirements to increase the use of low-carbon building materials such as cross-laminated timber and low-emissions cement. According to the Urban Land Institute’s “Embodied Carbon in Building Materials for Real … Continue reading →