North East Pennsylvania Pan-African Organization
Uniting the African Diaspora for Progress
Uniting the African Diaspora for Progress
We are proposing legislation to reduce energy consumption and to incorporate green and blockchain technology in construction The Lewis Energy Reduction and Home the Block Act. An Act:
Amending the Pennsylvania Construction Code to require the implementation of International Passive House design principles in new construction and substantial rehabilitation projects exceeding a specified threshold, including commercial facilities. Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known and cited as the Lewis Energy Reduction Act. Section 2. Findings and Declarations. The General Assembly finds and declares that: (1) Pennsylvania must take decisive action to reduce energy consumption in the built environment. (2) Buildings account for a significant portion of energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions. (3) International Passive House design principles have been proven to significantly reduce energy consumption while improving building performance and occupant comfort. (4) The adoption of energy-efficient building standards will benefit Pennsylvania residents and businesses by lowering energy costs and increasing sustainability.
Section 3. Amendment to the Pennsylvania Construction Code. (a) Adoption of Passive House Standards: The Pennsylvania Construction Code shall be amended to require that all new construction and substantial rehabilitation projects meeting or exceeding the threshold established in Section 4 adhere to International Passive House design principles, including but not limited to: (1) Enhanced building envelope insulation to minimize thermal loss. (2) High-performance windows and doors for improved energy efficiency. (3) Continuous airtight construction to reduce energy leakage. (4) Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery to ensure indoor air quality. (5) Passive solar heating and cooling strategies where applicable. (6) Efficient energy systems that meet Passive House certification or equivalent standards. (b) Commercial Facilities Inclusion: These standards shall apply to both residential and commercial developments that meet the designated threshold.
Section 4. Applicability Threshold. (a) This Act shall apply to all new construction projects and substantial rehabilitation projects that: (1) Consist of 950 square feet or more of gross floor area for residential properties and 3,000 square feet or more for commercial spaces; or (2) Are publicly funded in whole or in part with state grants, tax incentives, or low-interest financing; or (3) Involve the renovation of an existing structure where at least 50% of the building envelope is being modified. (b) Projects below this threshold are encouraged to implement Passive House principles voluntarily and may receive additional incentives or technical assistance.
Section 5. Enforcement and Compliance. (a) The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry shall oversee compliance with this Act and integrate these requirements into the Pennsylvania Construction Code. (b) Developers must submit documentation demonstrating compliance with Passive House standards during the permitting process. (c) The Department shall develop a process for independent verification and periodic audits to ensure adherence.
Section 6. Incentives and Assistance. (a) Developers who exceed the minimum Passive House requirements may qualify for additional incentives, including but not limited to: (1) Expedited permitting processes. (2) State tax credits for energy-efficient development. (3) Access to green building grant programs. (b) The Department shall provide educational resources and training programs to assist developers, architects, and builders in meeting these standards. (c) Green Energy Incentives: (1) Projects that integrate renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or geothermal shall be eligible for additional financial incentives, including grants and rebates. (2) State-backed low-interest financing shall be available for the installation of on-site renewable energy systems. (3) Developers incorporating net-zero energy designs may receive increased tax credits and priority access to state funding programs. (4) A renewable energy bonus program shall be established to reward projects that generate surplus clean energy for community use. (d) Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Incentives: (1) A state-supported blockchain-based registry shall be developed to track and verify energy savings and emissions reductions for certified Passive House projects. (2) Developers will implement blockchain technology to optimize energy efficiency and grid integration shall be eligible for additional tax incentives. (3) A Pennsylvania Green Crypto Token shall be created to reward energy-efficient developments, allowing developers to trade or redeem tokens for additional state grants and funding. (4) Public-private partnerships shall be encouraged to pilot blockchain-based financing mechanisms, such as tokenized investment in green housing projects. (5) A gas tax shall be implemented to fund energy data collection specifically tailored for traditional energy registries, blockchain-based registries and cryptocurrency applications supporting energy-efficient developments. (6) Gas tax revenue shall be directed toward the development of blockchain platforms and tools to optimize energy performance tracking.
Section 7. Effective Date. This Act shall take effect one year from the date of enactment to allow for preparation and compliance with the new standards.