By Jesse Berst

 

New York Mayor Bloomberg is fresh off his campaigns to make New Yorkers drink less soda and to encourage mothers to breast feed. His next intervention may be to "encourage" New York building owners to make their buildings more efficient.

 

According to the New York Times, a new report from the city's Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability revealed that some large buildings use 500% more energy than comparable buildings. If Bloomberg can get those poor performers to achieve even average efficiency, it will go a huge way to meeting his greenhouse emissions goals.

 

Good luck. Neither soda drinkers nor new mothers had enough lobbying power to forestall the mayor's plans. But, so far at least, intense opposition from building owners has staved off new laws requiring upgrades. The mayor's next gambit is to assign and publicize efficiency scores for buildings. If he can't legislate owners into upgrading, maybe he can shame them into doing what he wants.

More on this topic…

U.S. a leader in energy efficiency? Nope. Not even close

Ambitious energy efficiency goals to transform commercial building industry

In our discussion forum: Philly's new benchmarking law: a building's scarlet letter?

 

From the SGN Research Marketplace…

Smart Cities, Buildings and Communities: This report available from Research and Markets addresses some of the developments taking place around the world related to smart cities, buildings and communities, and provides examples. Get details >>

 

Jesse Berst is the founder and chief analyst of Smart Grid News.com, the industry's oldest and largest smart grid site. A frequent keynoter at industry events in the U.S. and abroad, he also serves on advisory committees for Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the Institute for Electric Efficiency. He often provides strategic consulting to large corporations and venture-backed startups. He is a member of the advisory boards of GridGlo and Calico Energy Services.

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More experience from outside the US

In the UK legislation has been enacted to enforce a standard energy efficiency rating system and for domestic rentals, it is already illegal to rent out a property without a rating certificate. The ratings are A to G and it's likely to become unlawful (minister's stated intent) to rent out properties rated only F or G some time in 2014. Example 1: mid-terrace two storey property with double-glazed windows and doors, 8in of loft insulation, brand-new A-rated gas boiler and white goods, mostly low-energy lightbulbs and insulated cavity walls - high B. To get an A, you'd need to install PV/solar HW or similar. Example 2: converted small church, original single glazed windows, (very) high ceilings, uninsulated walls, oil-fired heating, low F to G.

Paul Sotson - 08/07/2012 - 07:37

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