News Roundup

Washington State Mandates Heat Pumps in New Buildings

On 4 November 2022 the Washington Building Code Council ruled that new residential buildings must include heat pumps. While the code still allows for the installation of natural gas heaters in addition to the heat pumps, this is the closest any state has come to banning natural gas-burning appliances in new construction.

More than 40 cities and counties in California, New York City and Washington DC all have regulations to prohibit the use of fossil fuel combustion in new buildings. The Building Code Council’s decision begins the writing of a final rule, to be finalized in January 2023. The new code will take effect on
1 July 2023.

News coverage: New dwellings in Washington state must be warmed by heat pumps, rather than furnaces, beginning in July, state board rules Friday (The Statesman-Review)

Dominion Reaches Deal to Move Forward with 2.6-Gigawatt Offshore Wind Farm

Dominion Energy and stakeholders have reached an agreement that the power company says will allow its 2.6-gigawatt Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project to move forward. While a previous decision by state regulators would have required Dominion, and not its customers, to bear the financial consequences of under-performance, the new deal will distribute the impacts of cost overruns and production shortfalls between both parties. Dominion expects to complete the CVOW project

in 2026.

Source: Motion to Receive and Consider Second Proposed Stipulation and Recommendation, and for Expedited Consideration(Dominion Virginia)

News coverage: Dominion settles with Walmart, others on potential cost overruns for $9.8B offshore wind project(Utility Dive)