B26-0767 — Net Zero Continuity Emergency Amendment Act of 2026

2ENROLLED ___________________________ORIGINAL CouncilmemberAN JaneeseACT Lewis George 5 A BILL 8 _________________________ IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA _________________________ To amend, on an emergency basis, the Green Building Act of 2006 to exempt certain DistrictDistrict- owned and funded-funded residential and nonresidential projects from complying with net-zero- energy standards and to modify net-zero-energy standard compliance requirements for nonresidential and residential projects;

(2) ExistingThe existing paragraph (2A) is redesignated as paragraph (2B)(2B). (3) A new paragraph (2A) is added to read as follows:

(3) A new paragraph (2A) is added to read as follows:

ENROLLED ORIGINAL (7) Paragraph (14) is amended to read as follows:

(1) The lead-in language of paragraph (1) is amended by striking the phrase “substantial improvement” and inserting the phrase “Level 3 alterations”.alterations” in its place.

“(D) Be built to comply with the net-zero-energy standard, as defined in section 2(a)(3) of the Clean Energy DC Building Code Amendment Act of 2022, effective September 21, 2022 (D.C.

provided,except, that the facility need not comply with energy conservation and obtainment standards otherwise required by section 2(a)(3)(A) and (B) of the Clean Energy DC Building Act (D.C.

80 “(iv) A natatorium;

provided,except, that the aquatics center in which the natatorium is located need not comply with energy conservation and obtainment standards otherwise required by section 2(a)(3)(A) and(B) of the Clean Energy DC Building Code Act (D.C.

Official Code § 6-1453.01(a)(3)(A) and(B)), until the effective date of the final regulations issued by the Mayor ENROLLED ORIGINAL pursuant to section 2(b)(1) of the Clean Energy DC Building Code Act (D.C.

or “(v) A project for which all permits necessary to begin construction were submitted before October 1, 2024, and that waswere not submitted to GBAC before February 1, 2026;

“(C) Renewable energy shall be generated at the building site wherever ENROLLED ORIGINAL feasible;

(1) Paragraph (1) is amended byto strikingread theas phrasefollows: “substantial improvements” and inserting the phrase “Level 3 alterations” in its place.

(2)“(b)(1) ParagraphBy (2)December is31, amended2027, bythe strikingMayor, pursuant to pursuant to Title I of the phraseDistrict “;of Columbia Administrative Procedure Act, approved October 21, 1968 (82 Stat.

except,1204; that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prohibit the on-site combustion of fossil fuels for backup power generation in buildings that are essential to protecting public health and safety” and inserting a period in its place.

D.C.

Official Code § 2-501 et seq.), shall issue final regulations requiring all new construction or Level 3 alterations to covered buildings to be constructed to a net-zero-energy standard.”.

(2) Paragraph (2) is amended to read as follows:

“(2) By December 31, 2026, the Mayor, pursuant to Title I of the District of Columbia Administrative Procedure Act, approved October 21, 1968 (82 Stat.

1204;

D.C.

Official Code § 2-501 et seq.), shall issue final regulations prohibiting the use of on-site fuel combustion for the provision of thermal energy for all new construction of covered buildings and additions greater than 10,000 square feet to covered buildings.”.

(3) New paragraphs (3) and (4) are added to read as follows:

“(3) No permit application for new construction of covered buildings or an addition greater than 10,000 square feet to covered buildings submitted after December 31, 2026, shall be approved if the building or addition design provides for the use of on-site fuel combustion for the provision of thermal energy for space heating and water heating.

“(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no building permit application for new construction of covered buildings, an addition greater than 10,000 square feet to covered buildings, or Level 3 alteration to covered buildings submitted after December 31, 2026, shall be approved unless the building design is such that the building conserves an amount of energy attributable to building operation that is equal to or greater than the amount that would be conserved if such building complied with the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code.”.

ENROLLED ORIGINAL Sec.

___________________________________ Chairman Council of the District of Columbia _________________________________ Mayor District of Columbia 5