The city of Aspen is embracing a building-code revision that will set ambitious green building standards and require either a photovoltaic solar panel system or payment into a renewable energy fund to offset exterior features such as snowmelt systems and heated pools.

The city’s building department received unanimous support to continue drafting the new code at Aspen City Council’s Tuesday work session. The code, which aims to meet the “2030 Challenge” to reduce energy consumption by 50 percent in the next 22 years, takes many of its cues from similar programs, such as the Renewable Energy Mitigation Program (REMP) in place in Aspen for residential construction for years.

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