B4.3 Commercial energy efficiency recognition
Create a program that recognizes energy efficiency leadership in new construction.
Municipalities can encourage more new construction to adopt energy efficient building practices by recognizing newly constructed or ugraded commercial buildings that demonstrate leadership in energy efficiency. A recognition program demonstrates to commercial builders that energy efficient design and construction is feasible, and may even serve as a resource to others as they pursue energy efficient construction. Recognition programs can also provide an additional incentive for businesses and commercial builders – advertising and name recognition. Municipalities need to dedicate some funds and staff time to running a recognition program, but this can cost significantly less than direct or indirect subsidies for energy efficiency.
Currently, new construction energy efficiency recognition is not common. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE) have programs that recognize existing buildings that undergo significant energy efficiency retrofitting activities.
Industrial sites around the world can receive recognition for energy efficiency through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR Challenge for Industry. Sites that reduce their energy use by 10 percent or more within 5 years receive recognition from the EPA. Municipalities and private industry groups can partner with ENERGY STAR to promote the Challenge, and, like the Energy Trust of Oregon, provide administrative and technical support to manufacturers wishing to participate in the Challenge.
The DOE Better Buildings program Interior Lighting Campaign (ILC) recognizes organizations “for exemplary performance in their application of high efficiency lighting systems.” The Exemplary Performance Recognition for High-Efficiency Interior Lighting Solutions is awarded annually to projects that save the most energy through lighting retrofits.
Atlanta’s Better Buildings Challenge has successfully engaged building owners, tenants, property managers, service providers and public servants in reducing energy and water use by 20% in their buildings by 2020. We have the commitment of over 90 million square feet of building space and have achieved over 11% energy savings since 2011.