The EPA estimates indoor air is often two to five times more polluted than outdoor air.
This week, Washington’s Building Code Council will vote on commercial energy codes to make indoor air cleaner, reduce harmful pollutants, and speed high-scale, affordable introduction of greener technologies.
Methane gas, used for stoves and heating in buildings, is Washington’s fastest-growing contributor of climate change/pollution risk. Low-income and rural folks’ health/cognitive performance are more endangered. The climate crisis already is creating worsening economic problems.
The Building Code Council should act on Friday to reduce climate emissions and pollutants like NOx and particulates, while reducing total costs for consumers but with appropriate exemptions for rural residents without alternatives.
I also encourage the council to carefully state what results they expect. Part of their job is to think transparently, flexibly and comprehensively long-term about public health, property values and economic development.
