The ordinance proposed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, with the support of the Chief Sustainability Officer and several Aldermen, seeks to amend the Municipal Code of Chicago to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from buildings, which are a significant contributor to the city's carbon footprint. The amendments include the addition of a definition for "COMBINED HEAT AND POWER SYSTEM," a revision of the definition of "historic building," and the introduction of a definition for "INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION." The ordinance also introduces Section C609, which limits combustion in new constructions and existing buildings undergoing significant additions, with the goal of promoting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The ordinance further prohibits the combustion of substances emitting 25 kilograms or more of carbon dioxide per million British thermal units of energy in buildings and enclosed structures, with certain exceptions for emergency or standby electricity, fireplaces, cooking, and internal combustion engines as defined by the U.S. Clean Air Act. It updates the definitions of "Chicago Energy Conservation Code" and "Chicago Energy Transformation Code," with the latter effective from November 1, 2022. The Chief Sustainability Officer is tasked with conducting a market segmentation study to inform strategies for energy use and efficiency in local buildings. The ordinance will be enacted following its passage and approval.