Evaluate and consider a Zero Net Energy (ZNE) code for all new buildings and substantial renovations by 2030.
ZNE buildings have a high-efficiency design that minimizes energy demand and produce as much energy as they consume over the course of a year. To guide energy efficiency in new construction and renovations, Dallas adopts and implements building codes, including the IECC.
Achieving ZNE construction in the near-term will help to avoid emissions lock-in from continued development of fossil fuel-dependent buildings. The City will evaluate its options to adopt different building energy codes in the future, if IECC updates do not to provide a pathway toward ZNE buildings. The City will consider alternative code options to achieve ZNE objectives, such as Architecture 2030’s Zero Code. The City will aim to implement a ZNE building code starting in 2030 for new construction and will identify ways to incentivize, early voluntary achievement of this goal. The City will identify incentives for new development and to assist existing older buildings that undergo substantial renovations to transition away from natural gas.
The City will also promote the concept of net zero neighborhoods to achieve the goals of this action on a larger scale. The City will work with developers and home builders to identify potential opportunities for pilot sites. For example, redevelopment of the Hensley Field Site can be considered an opportunity to develop a carbon neutral district where buildings are designed and constructed to achieve ZNE standards, including development of in-district renewable energy systems. This project could then serve as a best practice example of Dallas’ leadership and innovation, and as a demonstration project for other Dallas area developments to highlight the feasibility and lessons learned.
examples around the US/world like Austins' Mueller neighborhood...
We need codes that challenge the design/build industry. They can do better at no additional cost and need a push to transform. The code is that mechanism.
In this vein, surely there are some cost neutral requirements to be implemented that don't take 10 years to evaluate.
Dallas should strengthen this action by studying a "Net Zero" building policy immediately and target adoption of this policy in 2025, with exceptions to ensure this does not inhibit affordable housing development.
cool roof programs a must
This should be moved up to 2025. Why wait? Also, study if exemptions are needed for affordable housing.
Must be by 2025! We need a technical review by AIA, ASHRAE, EarthX and VC teams in Dallas to identify emerging tech that should be encouraged by our building codes and changes in building processes we should be making. AIA needs to study and recommend design standards about how to get less unnecessary concrete (highly polluting) in our construction and curbing. Membrane based air conditioners without compressors and much smaller geothermal systems that use the ground loop for thermal time shifting, new building materials that reduce gas production, all are coming and we need to update building codes.
An AIA task force could look into design standards to make Dallas more conducive to plant life and canopy with less paved surface. The Parisians have walked on fine limestone sidewalks for centuries. We need more rigorous standards for trees and plant life in parking lots. Carbon sequestration by plants happens in the entire plant, not just the canopy. Bushes and vines help in carbon sequestration landscaping. The removal of excess growth must be composted, or the carbon just returns to the air.
this will bring smarter jobs to dallas and stop next exports of local talents from UTD, SMU, TWU and all other universities. keep them here keep them in dallas
I support creating, implementing, and enforcing new building codes and ordinances that would have 100% new construction be completely net zero. However, as the draft says this would be from 2030, this action should start before 2030.
All new City of Dallas owned and operated buildings should be ZNE starting in 2021. There's no reason that the City of Dallas can't do what Irving already did long ago in 2011. They've been saving money while they are net zero emissions. https://www.pmengineer.com/articles/91276-net-zero-energy-lady-bird-johnson-middle-school-is-a-crown-jewel-in-dallas And 2025 for the building code is better than 2030, which in unnecessarily slow. Remember climate action needs to be accelerated because climate change is accelerating.
It's important for the City of Dallas to consider and choose building materials which have low embodied carbon. Operational carbon (from energy use in the building) is often the only thing considered, which isn't the full carbon footprint of what is built: https://www.buildinggreen.com/feature/urgency-embodied-carbon-and-what-you-can-do-about-it