Notice2025-21786
Removing Support for the National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
December 3, 2025
Issuing agencies
Energy Department
Abstract
The Department of Energy is removing support for the National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building guidance document to comply with directions provided in various Executive orders.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 230 (Wednesday, December 3, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 230 (Wednesday, December 3, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55722-55723]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-21786]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Removing Support for the National Definition of a Zero Emissions
Building
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy is removing support for the National
Definition of a Zero Emissions Building guidance document to comply
with directions provided in various Executive orders.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Hayes Jones, U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building
Technologies Office, EE-5B, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 256-9934. Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cca4adb5a9bfe2a6a3a2a9bf8ca9a9e2a8a3a9e2aba3ba"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="aec6cfd7cbdd80c4c1c0cbddeecbcb80cac1cb80c9c1d8">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Background
II. Discussion
III. Approval of the Office of Secretary
I. Background
On June 4th, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued the
National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building. The definition is not
a regulatory standard and is not legally binding; it was intended to
provide guidance and criteria that public and private entities might
voluntarily choose to adopt to determine whether a building had zero
greenhouse gas emissions from operational energy use. The goals that
underly the National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building are not
consistent with current Administration priorities, and, as a result,
DOE no longer supports the definition. In addition, DOE discourages
states, municipalities, and standards-setting organizations from using
and referencing the definition. The definition is no longer on the DOE
website and DOE will not provide any technical assistance related to
the definition.
II. Discussion
As outlined in Executive Order 14154, ``Unleashing American
Energy,'' agencies are required to, ``review all existing regulations,
orders, guidance documents, policies, settlements,
[[Page 55723]]
consent orders, and any other agency actions (collectively, agency
actions) to identify those agency actions that impose an undue burden
on the identification, development, or use of domestic energy
resources.'' 90 FR 8353. As part of that review, DOE has identified the
National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building as a guidance document
that does not align with Administration priorities.
The Request for Information (RFI) for the development of the
National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building suggests that a key
impetus for the development of the standard was the Biden-Harris
Administration's goal of a, ``net-zero emissions, economy-wide, by 2050
and a 100% clean energy electricity sector by 2035.'' 89 FR 1086. These
goals were detailed in the February 2021 Executive Order 14008,
``Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.'' 86 FR 7619.
However, Executive Order 14008 was rescinded through President Trump's
January 2025 Executive Order 14148, ``Initial Rescission of Harmful
Executive Orders and Actions.'' 90 FR 8237. Thus, the goals outlined in
Executive Order 14008 are no longer applicable and a guidance document
that would support those goals, such as the National Definition of a
Zero Emissions Building, is no longer needed.
The RFI also indicates that the definition would help advance the
environmental justice goals outlined Executive Order 14096,
``Revitalizing Our Nation's Commitment to Environmental Justice for
All.'' 88 FR 25251. However, this Executive order no longer applies as
it was also rescinded through the Trump Administration's, Executive
Order 14148 ``Initial Rescission of Harmful Executive Orders and
Actions,'' which identified diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as
having corrupted institutions by ``replacing hard work, merit, and
equality with a divisive and dangerous preferential hierarchy.'' 90 FR
8237. Thus, the goals outlined in Executive Order 14096 are no longer
applicable and a guidance document that would support those goals, such
as the National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building, is no longer
needed.
Additionally, removing support for the National Definition of Zero
Emission Building is consistent with the Secretarial Order on
``Unleashing the Golden Era of American Energy Dominance,'' which
directs DOE actions in response to President Trump's Executive orders
to unleash American Energy. The Secretarial Order is broadly
unsupportive of net-zero policies under the belief that they ``raise
energy costs for American families and businesses, threaten the
reliability of our energy system, and undermine our energy and national
security.'' \1\ The Department recommends that state or local
government agencies and standard-setting bodies stop referencing or
otherwise citing the national definition.
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\1\ Secretary Wright Acts to ``Unleash Golden Era of American
Energy Dominance'' Department of Energy, <a href="https://www.energy.gov/articles/secretary-wright-acts-unleash-golden-era-american-energy-dominance">https://www.energy.gov/articles/secretary-wright-acts-unleash-golden-era-american-energy-dominance</a>.
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III. Approval of the Office of the Secretary
The Secretary of Energy has approved publication of this notice.
Signing Authority
This document of the Department of Energy was signed on November
19, 2025, by Audrey Robertson, Assistant Secretary for Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, pursuant to delegated authority from
the Secretary of Energy. That document with the original signature and
date is maintained by DOE. For administrative purposes only, and in
compliance with requirements of the Office of the Federal Register, the
undersigned DOE Federal Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to
sign and submit the document in electronic format for publication, as
an official document of the Department of Energy. This administrative
process in no way alters the legal effect of this document upon
publication in the Federal Register.
Signed in Washington, DC, on December 1, 2025.
Jennifer Hartzell,
Alternate Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2025-21786 Filed 12-2-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
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