Maryland Successfully Defends State Building Emissions Standards

Maryland’s energy performance standards mandating net-zero emissions in buildings were upheld in court after a judge rejected arguments from housing industry groups claiming they were preempted by federal law.

The challenged Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) don’t refer to or have an impermissible connection with the energy use or energy efficiency of products covered by the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act, Judge Deborah L. Boardman of the US District Court for the District of Maryland said Tuesday.

The standards set greenhouse gas emissions targets for certain state-owned, commercial, and multifamily residential buildings in the state. They ...