In an effort to meet Los Angeles’ sustainability plan and reduce greenhouse gas emissions 60% by 2035 and 80% by 2050, the city council is looking for ways to reduce the use of natural gas in buildings located within the city. On Feb. 6, it gave the building and safety department 90 days to develop recommendations, including such measures as converting buildings using gas to electricity produced by renewable sources.

Council also wants aggressive 2028 and 2038 certification requirements for new buildings that align with the greenhouse reduction target. Buildings are the city’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, and the city has set a target to reduce energy use per square foot 30% by 2015.