Energy Conservation in Land Use Practice

The use of local authority to enforce and enhance energy codes and control land use has impressive potential to reduce energy consumption. The construction and use of buildings consumes large amounts of energy, and much of that consumption is highly inefficient. By enforcing and enhancing energy codes, encouraging the use of combined heat and power and district energy systems, properly orienting and commissioning buildings, and incorporating renewable energy resources, we can unlock local land use law's potential to achieve energy conservation.