The index analyzed green-certified office space across America's 30 largest office markets and found the highest in the index's history at 42.2 pct -- up from 41.9 pct from 2018. According to the report, 71.1 pct of Chicago's office buildings are market-certified green and hold either an EPA ENERGY STAR® label, USGBC LEED certification, or both.
(Source: CBRE, Lawndale News, 7 Nov., 2019) Contact: CBRE, National Green Building Adoption Index www.cbre.com/about/corporate-responsibility/pillars/environmental-sustainability/green building adoption index; CBRE, Corpcomm@cbre.com, www.cbre.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Building Energy Efficiency, Energy Benchmarking, CGRE,
The CaGBC statement also noted that Canada's building stock contributes up to 17 pct of the country's greenhouse gas emissions and that Investing in a low-carbon workforce transition would be a key driver to help Canada's construction workforce develop, construct and manage high-performing energy efficient green buildings. The CaGBC also called for the government to
Stimulate the country's retrofit economy through the Canada Infrastructure Bank and to establish
national building energy benchmarking and disclosure requirements. (Source: The Canada Green Building Council, Commercial News, 28 Oct., 2019)Contact: Canada Green Building Council, Thomas Mueller, Pres. and CEO, (866) 941-1184, info@cagbc.org, www.cagbc.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Canada Green Building Council, Building Energy Bechmarking, Energy Efficiency,
The plan establishes goals for greenhouse gas emission reduction for government operations and as a city based on: increased operating energy efficiency; building energy bench-marking; energy efficient upgrades in 11 municipal buildings resulting in over $100,000 per year in energy costs savings; LED street and traffic lighting; a commitment to 100 pct renewable energy and various other upgrades and initiatives. The city of 56,000 +- residents has also reaffirmed its commitment to exceeding the goals of the Paris Climate Accord.
(Source: Hoboken Patch, 23 April, 2019) Contact: City of Hoboken, (201) 420-2000, www.hobokennj.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency, LED Light, Energy Benchmarking, Renewable Energy,
The ordinance, which was passed in 2015, requires owners of large buildings of 100,000 square-feet or more, to report energy and water use data to the city, which posts the information online so it can be used by tenants, investors and others. City officials had expected an 80 pct compliance rate, but just over 60 pct have reported data to the city.
Kansas City building owners' 60 pct compliance significantly lags behind Chicago's at 92 pct and Minneapolis, which began at began at 87 pct then rose to 93 pct for the 2017 calendar year.
(Source: Kansas City Star, Mar., 2019) Contact: City of Kansas City,
Dennis Murphey, Chief Environmental Officer, 816-453-1492, www.kcmo.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Benchmarking, Energy Efficiency,
Specifically, the ACEEE noted that the state should set stronger energy savings goals for their utilities. By setting energy savings at a mere 1 pct per year, they said that alone could give the state more than 100,000 jobs. (Source: ACEEE, Energy Insider, Mar., 2019)
Contact: ACEEE, (202) 507-4000, www.aceee.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News ACEEE, Energy Efficiency,
The ordinance also requires owners of sub-50,000-square-foot apartment buildings that meter each unit's energy consumption to submit data to a utility-created portal that will be available in 2021. The result will allow renters to compare the energy performance of buildings, using an annual per-square-foot measurement. The city's energy ordinance aims to upgrade 75 pct of the city's homes by 2025.
City officials believe building owners with low-performing properties would be more open to utility and city efficiency programs to reduce their energy use. Portland, Oregon; Austin, Texas; Berkeley, California; and Boulder, Colorado are among the cities with similar programs. (Source: City of Minneapolis, Finance & Commerce, 5 Feb., 2019) Contact: City of Minneapolis,
Kim Havey, Sustainability Manager, 612-673-3666, Kim.Havey@minneapolismn.gov, www.minneapolismn.gov/www/groups/public/@citycoordinator/documents/webcontent/wcmsp-215081.pdf
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Benchmark, Energy Efficiency, ENERGY STAR,
The tool helps identify under performing buildings with the highest potential for energy savings and provides input to help understand the way buildings are using their energy.
The B3 tool works by customers inputting basic data about facilities, such as what the building is used for, overall square footage, number of floors/rooms, hours of use and number of employees, among other data.
The information is then uploaded to B3 and then compared to similar buildings within its database. A results report is then generated.
(Source: Black Hills Energy, Pueblo Chieftain 16 Dec., 2018) Contact: Black Hills Energy, Jim Dillon, Senior Manager, Energy Efficiency, www.blackhillsenergy.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Black Hills Energy news, Energy Benchmark news,
The partners aim to highlight the role that buildings can play in improving environmental and to encourage buildings and the built environment globally to raise sustainability standards and deliver greater value. The partnership also aims to promote their joint and separate expertise and a new approach to building energy benchmarking and building performance solutions.
BRE offers advisory services, innovative research, sets and monitors industry standards, develops and delivers professional training courses, and provides independent, third-party certification services related to built environment issues.
(Source: USGBC, BRE, Construction Index, 14 Nov., 2018) Contact: BRE, Niall Trafford, CEO, +44 (0)333 321 8811, enquiries@bregroup.com, www.bregroup.com; USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News US Green Building Council,
The EnergyCompass is a free data visualization platform that will streamline energy benchmarking and reporting during the design phase of building development projects. This tool seeks to accelerate the understanding and adoption of energy-saving solutions, improve conservation program delivery, reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from every proposed building development in Ontario.
Users will be able upload energy models to Compass which will automatically extract more than 400 variables and complete the submission requirements for six building standards, including US Green Buiolding Council LEED, TGS, and Ontario Building Code (OBC) The data visualization platform will allow users to see the modeled building against a database, which will then inform the design. "Previously, data available through energy simulation studies has not been leveraged en masse to analyze performance trends or to benchmark similar buildings to improve energy performance," according to RWI principal Mike Williams.
The RWDI EnergyCompass was developed in partnership with the Ontario Association of Architects and Toronto's Architecture 2030 District. (Source: RWDI, Nov., 2018) Contact: RWDI, Mike Williams, www.rwdi.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News RWDI, Green Building, Energy Efficiency,
Pittsburgh will use the money to create and implement a building energy benchmarking policy, develop a statewide clean energy financing program, scale renewable power through community solar programs, encourage a shift in transportation energy use operation, and reduce over-all energy consumption by 50 pct.
About 100 of America's largest cities applied to the challenge, submitting bold plans to cut carbon emissions, Bloomberg said. All aimed to reduce air pollution and citywide emissions with specific projects to reform transit and buildings sectors -- two areas traditionally responsible for 80 pct of all citywide emissions.
Atlanta, Los Angeles, Portland, San Diego, San Jose and Seattle were also Challenge winners. (Source: Bloomberg Philanthropies, TRIB Live, 21 Oct., 2018) Contact: Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge, www.bloomberg.org/program/environment/climatechallenge
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency, Building Energy Benchmark, Climate Change,
Founded in 1994, the Minnesota Waste Wise Foundation and its state-wide supporters as well as energy companies, work to provide businesses with energy rebates and grants for more energy-efficient materials.
(Source: Minnesota Waste Wise Foundation, Eco Press, 6 17, 2018) Contact: Minnesota Waste Wise Foundation, Jill Curran, Exec. Dir., (651) 292-4662, www.mnwastewise.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Minnesota Waste Wise Foundation, Energy Benchmarking, Energy Efficiency,
The $16 million Clean Energy Communities initiative provides grant funding to eligible municipalities to implement energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable development projects in their communities. To earn the Clean Energy Community designation, The Town of Westport:
Program funds are provided through the NY Clean Energy Fund and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). (Source: NYSERDA, Town of Westport, June, 2018) Contact: NYSERDA,
www.nyserda.ny.gov/cec: Town of Westport, www.westportny.net
More Low-Carbon Energy News NYSERDA, Energy Efficiency, Building Energy Benchmarking, Clean Energy Community,
The BEA project is a global initiative led by World Resources Institute (WRI) under the UN program Sustainable Energy for All (SEforAll), which aims to double the global rate of building energy efficiency by 2030. Dubai is the first and only city in the Middle East committed to the BEA, and EmiratesGBC is serving as the BEA City Liaison in partnership with Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE) to measure energy performance of 100 buildings in Dubai across hotels, schools and malls.(Source: Emirates Green Building Council, ME Construction News, 3 June, 2018) Contact: Emirates Green Building Council, bea@emiratesgbc.org, www.emiratesgbc.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Emirates Green Building Council, Energy Efficiency, Energy Benchmarking,
Under the program, municipalities or towns can implement ten impact items to promote energy efficiency or renewable energy. Recently, the town of Elmira passed resolutions on solar energy permitting and on building energy benchmarking. The town is also considering the installation of electric vehicle charging stations and the conversion of city street lighting to LED.
Building a more sustainable New York starts with building more sustainable communities. Local governments affect energy choices in their communities, from government operations to homes, businesses, and community institutions.
Local governments in New York State can use the Clean Energy Communities program to implement clean energy actions, save energy costs, create jobs, and improve the environment. In addition to providing tools, resources, and technical assistance, the program recognizes and rewards leadership for the completion of clean energy projects, according to the program website.
(Source: Town of Elmira, WENY, 1 May, 2018) Contact: NYSERDA, www.nyserda.ny.gov; Clean Energy Communities Program, www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Programs/Clean-Energy-Communities
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency, Building Benchmarking, LED, Energy Efficiency,
The program will provide building energy benchmarks and help owners track changes in building energy use.
Ten city-owned buildings are enrolled in the program. (Source: City of Providance, AP, Bristol Herald, 30 April, 2018)
Contact: City of Providence, www.providenceri.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency, Building Energy Benshmarking,
The first and major resolution passed by both Hanover and Silver Creek involves establishing building energy benchmarking using the EPA's internet-based Energy Star Portfolio Manager to track and assess the relative energy consumption and performance of community owned buildings of 1,000 square feet or larger. The aim is to identify energy consumption and cost cutting opportunities.
Other approved resolutions include the New York State Unified Solar Permit program; energy and building code upgrades, training and enforcement; and electric vehicle charging stations.
(Source: NYSERDA, Observer, 2 April, 2018) Contact: NYSERDA, Alicia Barton, Pres., CEO, (518) 862-1090, www.nyserda.ny.gov;
Clean Energy Communities Program, www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Programs/Clean-Energy-Communities
More Low-Carbon Energy News NYSERDA, Energy Benchmarking, Energy Efficiency,
Milwaukee Better Buildings Challenge (BBC) partners have achieved particular energy-efficiency success by securing PACE financing for energy efficiency projects.
The city encourages local businesses and K-12 schools to implement energy efficiency projects and to participate in the city's comprehensive energy efficiency program which aims to assist 200+ buildings, particularly Class B & C commercial buildings, small commercial buildings, and K-12 schools, in every aspect of energy efficiency projects, including assessment, financing, and implementation. To date, more than 100 non-city buildings are participating in BBC-MKE.
The City of Milwaukee has committed to reduce the energy used in city buildings by 20 pct by 2022.
(Source: City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Better Buildings Challenge, Energy Manager, 29 Mar., 2018) Contact: Milwaukee Better Buildings Challenge
Download Better Buildings Challenge details HERE
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency, Building Benchmarking,
With the designation, Livonia is now eligible to apply for up to $50,000 in state grant funding which it will use for the conversion of tradition street lighting to energy efficienct LED models.
(Source: NYSERDA, Various Media, ec., 2017) Contact: NYSERDA. Clean Energy Communities, www.nyserda.ny.gov/cec; Livonia, www.livoniany.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News NYSERDA, Energy Efficiency, LED Light, Energy Benchmarking,
In 2010, buildings accounted for 36 pct of the country's total annual power consumption and emitted 33.28 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. In seven years, rapid urban migration is expected to increase the number of new buildings by 20 pct annually.
Since 2005, the IFC has invested $18.3 billion in long-term funding for climate-smart projects and mobilized an additional $11 billion from other investors. (Source: World Bank, International Finance Corp., ProudGreenBuilding, 29 Nov., 2017) Contact: World Bank IFC, www.ifc.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Green Building, Energy Efficiency, Building Energy Benchmarking, World Bank International Finance Corp., Green Building, Energy Efficiency,
MACH's survey of building professionals including property managers, asset managers, engineers and others found: 78 pct would be concerned if ENERGY STAR funding was reduced/removed; 75 pct are not familiar with building energy benchmarking tools aside from ENERGY STAR; 64 pct reported Portfolio Manager usage; 61 pct are required to benchmark their facility/portfolio's energy consumption.
In the US, buildings account for 40 pct of total energy consumption. With increased sensitivity to energy costs as well as adoptions of building energy benchmarking regulations, ENERGY STAR is a more important tool than ever to help improve energy efficiency. ENERGY STAR certified products and buildings helped Americans save $34 billion in energy costs in 2015 alone, according to the EPA.
MACH counts hundreds of commercial, REIT, hotel, and corporate building owners as customers, encompassing hundreds of millions of square feet.
(Source: MACH Energy, 15 Nov., 2017) Contact: MACH Energy, Jon Moeller, CEO, www.machenergy.com; ENERGY STAR, www.energystar.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News MACH Energy, ENERGY STAR, Energy Efficiency, Energy Benchmarking,
While a building's energy expense is typically up to 30 pct of its operating cost, energy intensity and cost have not historically been included in the building appraisal or pro forma. As a result, mortgage underwriters have not generally included this information in the underwriting process. With building energy data and benchmarking data becoming more and more available -- 25 of the largest U.S. cities and California presently require energy disclosure -- it will be easier for appraisers and underwriters to include these data in their evaluation process. If energy efficiency can be correlated to mortgage default rates, it could have a significant impact on energy disclosure and possibly even mortgage interest rates.
Download the full Impact of Energy Factors on Default
Risk in Commercial Mortgages
report HERE. (Source: LBL, UC-Berkeley, Oct., 2017)
(Contact: City Energy Project , www.cityenergyproject.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Building Energy Efficiency, Energy Benchmarking,
WegoWise is focused on improving the operational and sustainability performance of multifamily and commercial real estate. The company's software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform is used to benchmark utility and water usage in more than 58,000 buildings, comprising 2.4 million square-feet of multifamily housing in the United States.
(Source: WegoWise, PR, GlobeNewsWire, 31 Oct., 2017).
Contact: WegoWise, Laila Partridge, Pres., CEO, (617) 367-7346, info@wegowise.com; www.wegowise.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News WegoWise, Energy Efficiency, Energy Benchmarking,
The city of approx. 25,000 residents tracks energy use in seven buildings totaling 160,000 square feet. The city is also 8 pct lower on energy-use intensity than the benchmark, for a 19 pct decrease from 2016. (Source: City of Prior Lake, Prior Lake American, 30 Oct., 2017)
Contact: City of Prior Lake, www.cityofpriorlake.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency, Energy Benchmarking,
In 2013, Minneapolis adopted its Commercial Building Benchmarking and Transparency ordinance requiring large buildings to track and disclose their energy consumption.
All buildings subject to the benchmarking ordinance may participate in the Building Energy Challenge and are eligible for milestone awards. Buildings can qualify as challenge leaders by publicly committing to a 15 percent greenhouse gas reduction.
The Building Energy Challenge aligns with the city's Clean Energy Partnership in support of the Minneapolis Climate Action Plan.
(Source: Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership, minneapolismn.gov, Oct 27, 2017
Contact: Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership, https://mplscleanenergypartnership.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency, Energy Benchmarking,
Consistent with previous year's studies, investments in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment were the most popular energy efficiency- related improvement made last year. Investments in "smart" buildings, energy management, energy efficient lighting (LED), energy storage and energy security were also on the rise among survey respondents. Building energy benchmarking and certification, along with government policy were found to be the key drivers for energy efficiency upgrades and investments.
(Source: Johnson Controls, Facility Exec, Oct., 2017)
Contact: Johnson Controls, Bill Jackson, Pres, Building Efficiency, www.johnsoncontrols.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency, Johnson Controls,
The report provides the following policy recommendations for the Federal Government: include a GHG metric in Canada's future retrofit building code; develop regional retrofit roadmaps; prioritize investments in scalable retrofit projects; and supporting mandatory energy benchmarking. http://www.cagbc.org/retrofitroadmap.
A Roadmap for Retrofits in Canada details HERE.
(Source: CaGBC, Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia., 20 Sept., 2017)
Contact: CaGBC, www.cagbc.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Canada Green Building Council ,
The Smart Building Operations Pilot aims to inform the day-to-day decisions of building equipment operators at 10 large Chicago buildings utilizing smart meters and sub-meters and:
To date, the combination of Chicago's building energy benchmarking program and ComEd's energy efficiency programs have reportedly saved customers more than $2.5 billion in energy costs. (Source: City of Chicago, Various Media, ProudGreenBuilding, Sept., 2017)
Contact: The Accelerate Group, theaccelerategroup.com; ComEd, (312) 394-3500, www.ComEd.com;
More Low-Carbon Energy News SMart Building, Accelerate Group, ComEd, EDF, Energy Efficiency, Energy Benchmarking,
The $16 million Clean Energy Communities initiative supports local governments implement energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable development projects. In addition, the designation gives the village an opportunity to apply for up to $50,000 toward additional clean energy projects, with no local cost share. To win Clean Energy Community certification, Bergen instituted a uilding energy benchmarking program, LED street lighting, and energy code enforcement training — training compliance officers in energy code best practices.
New York state communities designated Clean Energy Communities are eligible to apply for up to $250,000 funding with no local cost share, and up to 25 pct paid in advance to support additional clean energy projects.
(Source: NYSERDA, Daily News, 12 Sept., 2017) Contact: NYSERDA, John B. Rhodes, Pres., CEO, (518) 862-1090, www.nyserda.ny.gov; NY Clean Energy Community Program, www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Programs/Clean-Energy-Communities
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, NYSERDA, Clean Energy Community,
The report calls for the next city administration to lay out a detailed long-term plan to reduce energy use in all new and existing buildings and to require disclosure of that information when properties are sold. The report also acknowledges that the present de Blasio administration's carbon-reduction plan has made strides in monitoring the energy use of office towers and multifamily buildings, the four groups want to see similar efforts for small buildings, which make up a significant chunk of the city's landscape.
The paper recommends that property managers and building operators have energy efficiency training and calls for the streamlining of red tape that often slows down and hinders smart energy projects and initiatives.
Download the report
HERE. (Source: American Institute of Architects, Urban Green Building Council, Crains, 3 Aug., 2017) Contact: American Institute of Architects, (212) 358-6100, https://main.aiany.org; Urban Green Council, (212) 514-9385,www.urbangreencouncil.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Urban Green Council, Energy Efficiency, Building Energy Bencsbmark,
In exchange for providing the program with building information, owners will be offered financial and non-financial incentives such as tenant information workshops, awards recognition and a rebate of up to $1,500 for each building that undergoes commercial energy audits. They will also be advised of Energy Efficiency Alberta programs for which they may qualify. The city will use the information gathered to set future benchmarks for building owners and develop strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The city has committed 20 of its own building to the program, including City Hall. (Source: City of Edmonton, Edmonton Journal, 5 June, 2017) Contact: City of Edmonton, Lisa Dockman, Snr. Environmental Project Manager, (780) 442-5311, www.edmonton.ca
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, Energy Management,
The BEE-Cal provides a preliminary analysis that can help initiate or inform a dialogue around energy efficiency on the municipal level. In addition to estimating carbon emissions reductions, the BEE-Cal also gauges potential energy savings, local job creation, and improved social equity through a number of metrics. The BEE-Cal allows users to:
The TAF, which invests in urban solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, aimms to reduce Toronto's GHG emissions by 80 pct by 2050. (Source: Toronto Atmospheric Fund, PR, 26 May, 2017) Contact: Toronto Atmospheric Fund, (416) 392-0271, towerwise@taf.ca
info@taf.ca, www.taf.ca
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency, Building Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions,
Various Studies have shown that commercial, multi-family and public buildings that benchmark their energy consumption have cut their energy use intensity and increased their ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager scores faster than buildings that are not held to similar benchmarking ordinances. These findings help support the conclusion that implementing benchmarking laws can act as a catalyst to increase building efficiency. (Source: National Electrical Manufacturers Association, PR, CFM&D, 8 May, 2017)Contact: National Electrical Manufacturers Association, (703) 841-3200, www.nema.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, ENERGY STAR,
Though green infrastructure was not specified in the budget, the CaGBC is calling for building energy efficiency retrofits as well as a comprehensive building energy benchmarking program to gather performance data on the energy and water use of large buildings.
According to CaGBC, the Manitoba green building industry supported over 5,500 direct jobs and generated $438.8 million in GDP. (Source: CaGBC, JOC News, 2 May, 2017) Contact: Canada Green Building Council, Mark Hutchinson, VP, (613) 241-1184, www.cagbc.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy BenchmarkingGreen Building, Canada Green Building Council ,
Chicago is also being recognized for:
The Benchmarking Project aims to support the Building Efficiency Accelerator (BEA) initiative under the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) an initiative led by the UN Secretary-General, and funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The Benchmarking Project will measure the energy performance of 100 buildings in Dubai in the three focus groups of hotels, malls and schools. DSCE will support to the Benchmarking Project and mark the first BEA demonstration project in Dubai, which will serve as a referral point to advance energy efficiency of buildings in the city, and double the rate of efficiency by 2030. (Source: Emirates Green Building Council, CPI Financial, 14 Mar., 2017)Contact: Emirates Green Building Council, +971 4 346 8244, www.emiratesgbc.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Emirates Green Building Council, Green Building, Energy Efficiency,
Ann Arbor's 2030 District, currently categorized as "emerging," recently received a $15,000 grant from Architecture 2030 and Summit Foundation as a match to various local commitments. Ann Arbon's 2030 District aims to build the founding membership of property owners and managers, professional service providers and community stakeholders for an official 2030 District launch by the end of 2017. The Ann Arbor district also plans to begin hosting events to showcase local and regional high-performing projects while aligning buildings with the technical assistance necessary to monitor of their energy use. The new district will also leverage the private sector in meeting Ann Arbor's Climate Action Plan goal of cutting carbon emissions 25 pct by 2025 and 90 pct by 2050.
Albuquerque, Austin, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Grand Rapids, Ithaca, Loas ANgeles, Pittsburgh, San Antonio, Portland Me., San Francisco, Stamford, Seattle and Toronto are all 2300 District participant cities.
(Source: mLive, 13 Feb., 2017) Contact: 2030 District, www.2030districts.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News 2030 District, Energy Consumption, Energy Benchmarking ,
The energy benchmarking program is part of the town's plan to to be carbon-neutral by 2020. Energy Benchmarking is also required for "Clean Energy Community" status with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) which issues grant funding for energy efficiency projects.
If the town can earn NYSERDA clean energy community statusthis year, it would immediately qualify for $100,000 in grant money for energy efficiency projects, and would then be able to apply for broader incentives toward more efficiencies.
Among the initiatives the town is considering to help reduce its energy usage is more efficient lighting in all town facilities, replacing aging town vehicles with electric cars, installing storm windows in the historic Town Hall buildings and installing solar panels on town buildings. The town has already begun replacing street lamps with energy-efficient LED bulbs.
(Source: Town of East Hampton, 27 East.com, 7 Feb., 2017) Contact: Town of East Hampton, Building Dept., (631) 324-4145, www.ehamptonny.gov/279/Building-Department; NYSERDA, Dayle Zatlin, Assistant Director of Communications, (518) 862-1090 X 3359, dayle.zatlin@nyserda.ny.gov; John B. Rhodes, Pres., CEO, (518) 862-1090, www.nyserda.ny.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Neutral, Energy Benchmark, Energy Efficiency, Energy Audit, NYSERDA,
One strategy that Chicago implemented to encourage energy savings is an energy benchmarking and transparency law for existing buildings. The 2013 benchmarking ordinance came into force in 2016. In 2016, the city had nearly 2,700 buildings track and report energy use -- eleven times more buildings than initially reported in 2014. These properties represent about 733 million square feet of space, 23 pct of citywide energy use, and about $2 billion in energy bills.
The benchmarking report shows that regular tracking and reporting is helping to reduce energy use and emissions. Properties that have reported consistently are demonstrating annual energy reductions of 2 percent year-over-year. Combined, these energy reductions are saving the properties $17.6 million per year.
(Source: City of Chicago, NRDC, Lauren Zullo, February 03, 2017)
Contact: Retrofit Chicago Energy Challenge, http://www.retrofitchicago.net; City Energy Project, www.cityenergyproject.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions, Energy Efficiency, Energy Benchmarking,
St. Louis is one of 20 cities nationwide to be selected for the benchmarking initiative, known as the City Energy Project.
A joint venture of the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Institute for Market Transformation, the City Energy Project provides funding and technical support for tracking energy usage in large buildings, giving them the tools to save power and money. The program aims to enable $1.5 billion in annual energy savings nationwide by 2030. (Source: City Energy Project, St.Louis Post Dispatch, 3 Feb., 2017) Contact: City Energy Project, www.cityenergyproject.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Benchmarking, City Energy Project, Energy Efficiency, Energy Management,
By comparing the energy performance and use, the county will be able to make smarter, more cost-effective operational and capital investment decisions, reward efficiency and drive widespread and continuous improvement.
The legislation tasks the director, or head of the Department of Economic Development and Planning, to enter the total energy consumed by each municipal building, along with a description of the building, and file it in the EPA ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.
(Source: Fonda Leader Herald, 26 Jan., 2017)Contact: EPA ENERGY STAR, www.energystar.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News Benchmarking, Energy Efficiency, ENERGY STAR,
Buildings will be scored using the EPA ENERGY STAR portfolio manager program then compared with similar buildings across the nation to help the state prioritize energy-efficiency projects. The state will then identify potential energy-efficiency improvements and use a tool developed by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business Administration to estimate how those improvements reduce energy use and greenhouse-gas emissions.
The project is receiving $300,000 in funding from the US DOE and is expected to be completed by 2020. (Source: Nebraska State Energy Office, Jack Osterman, Deputy Director, (402) 471-2867, www.neo.ne.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency, Benchmarking, EPA ENERGY STAR,
The proposed market-based ordinance is projected to eliminate as much as 98 tpy of criteria pollutants.
(Source: Salt Lake City, Press Release, 22 Jan., 2017)
Contact: www.slcgreen.com/elevatebuildings
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Benchmark, Energy Efficiency, ENERGY STAR,
The Windy City's Building Energy Use Benchmarking Ordinance is based on the US EPA's ENERGY STAR scoring system, which measures how efficiently buildings use energy on a scale of 1 to 100, with 50 being the average energy performance. The Chicago ordinance requires all buildings of 50,000 square feet or more to track energy use, report to the city annually and verify data accuracy every three years. Unfortunately, the ordinance does not require property owners to make any energy-related investments.
The city estimates the ordinance has saved $17.8 million in energy costs through energy efficiency upgrades since its inception. (Source: wttw, Chicago Tonight, 9 Jan., 2017) Contact: EPA ENERGY STAR, www.energystar.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Performance, Energy Management, ENERGY STAR, Energy Benchmarking, Energy Efficiency,
Beginning this year, commercial and multi-family buildings over 25,000 sq-ft in Denver will be required to track and report their EPA ENERGY STAR score. In 2018, buildings over 50,000 square feet will be required to report their score. The ENERGY STAR score measures and tracks their energy use, will be made available to the public on an annual basis.
(Source: City of Denver, Institute for Market Transformation, Facility Exec., Jan. 2017) Contact: Denver City Council, www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/denver-city-council.html; EPA ENERGY STAR, www.energystar.gov
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency, Building Energy Benchmarking, ENERGY STAR,
The recommendations initially required for property owners to improve energy efficiency in their buildings every five years in addition to the benchmarking and transparency requirements. Those recommendations were met with stiff resistance from the city's commercial real estate sector.
(Source: Denver City Council, Denver Business Journal, 20 Dec., 2016) Contact: Denver City Council, www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/denver-city-council.html
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency, Energy Benchmark,
The ordinance requires a transparent annual benchmarking of energy and water use with buildings over 100,000 square feet complying by July 1, 2017. Beginning in 2019, buildings will required to undergo an energy and water audit and retro-commissioning every five years. If the building can demonstrate sufficient energy and water efficiency improvement, it can be exempted from the audit and retro-commissioning requirements.
The new ordinance is expected to cut the city's greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 10 pct and energy consumption by 7 pct by 2025, compared to business as usual. It is also expected to shave more than $368 million off of city residential and business power bills by 2025.
Download the Los Angeles ordinance HERE.
(Source: City of Los Angeles, NRDC Blog, 19 Dec., 2016)
Los Angeles Management Committee , (213) 473-3231
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Benchmarking, Building Energy Efficiency,
The ordinance requires buildings of 50,000 square feet or more to to annually benchmark and report their energy and water consumption. It also requires energy audits for buildings that perform below the national average in terms of their energy use.
The ordinance, which aims to help building owners identify low-cost energy efficiency improvements, is expected to save building owners and tenants an estimated $208 million in energy costs over the next 15 years as well as avoid an estimated 1.1 million metric tons of carbon pollution. Orlando's bui;ldings sector accounts for over 72 pct percent of the city's energy consumption. (Source: City of Orlando, NRDC Blog, 8 Dec., 2016)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency, Building Energy Efficiency, Energy Benchmark,
Under the measure, which would go into effect Jan. 1, 2018, homes would be scored on a 1 to 10 scale based on insulation as well as furnace, hot water heater and appliances energy efficiency.
The city estimates that obtaining a home energy audit and score between $150 and $250. Realators opposed the legislation. (Source: Portland City Council , Business Journal. 8 Dec., 2016) Contact: Portland City Council, www.portlandoregon.gov
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