Net Zero Continuity Emergency Amendment Act of 2026

26th Council Period (2025-2026) Introduced by Janeese Lewis George

Temporarily exempts certain District-owned projects from strict net-zero energy standards for up to 90 days, with phased or deferred compliance and revised definitions.

Retained by the Council

Overview

Net Zero Continuity Emergency Amendment Act of 2026 (B 26-0767) is an emergency bill proposed by Councilmember Janeese Lewis George. It amends the Green Building Act of 2006 and related provisions to temporarily modify net-zero-energy (NZE) requirements for certain District-owned and funded projects, and to adjust definitions and applicability under the Clean Energy DC Building Code Amendment Act of 2022. The act is designed to be in effect for up to 90 days after mayoral approval.

Main purpose and intent

Provide temporary relief from NZE standards for a subset of District-owned or funded projects.

Modify how NZE compliance is defined and applied, particularly for nonresidential and residential projects, and to align with emergency needs.

Repeal two prior temporary amendment acts (Green Housing Coordination Temporary Amendment Act of 2025 and Net Zero Modification and Preservation Temporary Amendment Act of 2026) upon enactment.

Key provisions and changes

Green Building Act of 2006 (Protection and scope)

Adds/clarifies definitions (e.g., Aquatic center, Natatorium, Level 3 alteration, Building Codes).
Reconfigures certain terms to align with Building Codes and NZE standards.

Net-zero-energy standard exemptions and modifications

Nonresidential and residential projects that are District-owned or funded may be exempt from complying with NZE standards under specified conditions.
For nonresidential projects, several categories are exempt from strict NZE compliance until final regulations issued by the Mayor (as per the Clean Energy DC Building Act) or under emergency-provided criteria, including:
Temporary buildings
Additions under certain size thresholds
Police, fire, emergency response, or unified communications facilities (with phased compliance)
Natatoriums (aquatic facilities) with delayed NZE compliance
Projects with permits submitted before Oct 1, 2024, but not submitted to GBAC before Feb 1, 2026
New on-site NZE requirements or partial exemptions are defined, including when to apply the NZE standard and the potential to defer renewable energy requirements until final regulations.

Clean Energy DC Building Code Amendment Act of 2022 amendments

Revises NZE definitions and applicability, including how Level 3 alterations interact with NZE standards.
Clarifies renewable energy requirements (on-site generation preferred where feasible) and permits limited on-site fossil fuel use for backup power in certain essential buildings.

Repeals

Repeals two 2025–2026 temporary acts once this emergency act takes effect.

Who is affected

District-owned and funded residential and nonresidential projects that would normally be required to meet NZE standards.

Projects undergoing Level 3 alterations or new construction that fall under the amended definitions.

Municipal and public-safety facilities, natatoriums, and aquatic centers with phased NZE compliance.

Entities involved in GBAC, DOB, and related permitting processes.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Effective date: Upon mayoral approval (or council action after mayoral veto override).

Duration: Emergency act remains in effect for up to 90 days.

Concurrent effect with related acts: Repeals two prior emergency acts upon enactment.

Administrative process: Requires alignment with the Mayor’s final regulations under the Clean Energy DC Building Act for certain exemptions and timelines.