Obama on Building Codes

Obama supports the Architecture 2030 goal of all new buildings going carbon neutral (producung zero emissions) by 2030. To help get there, he'll establish a national goal of improving the efficiency of new buildings by 50 percent. Good news. But he drops the ball on existing buildings. Instead of 50 percent, which is what's needed, he's called for improving efficiency by 25 percent.

Also missing from his building plans are the following: a mandatory National Building Energy Code Standard (critical) and building sector incentives to meet the 50 percent standard.