Capitol Hill Visit Update: Energy Efficient Buildings

Background

In 2010, the buildings Americans live and work in used around 40 percent of the energy in the U.S. economy at a cost of over $400 billion, according to the U.S Department of Energy. 

In February 2011, President Obama announced the Better Buildings Initiative to make commercial buildings 20 percent more efficient by 2020. While the Better Buildings Initiative offers a moving target, funding sources for building owners must supplement the initiative’s goals. 

2011 Capitol Hill Visit

During the Capitol Hill Visit Day, CCIM Institute members asked their U.S. representatives and senators to enact tax incentive programs to encourage energy efficiency and “green” building. The Institute supports energy efficient building programs that are voluntarily based.  We are opposed to government mandates of building standards and the unreasonable costs associated with mandates.

Update

Since our visit to Capitol Hill, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act (S. 1000) was introduced in the Senate. The bill would provide rule making authority to the U.S. Department of Energy if energy efficiency and building codes (ASHRAE 90.1) fail to meet efficiency targets. 

A hearing was held in early June by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Following the hearing, the bill overwhelmingly passed the senate committee in mid-July. It appears to have significant bipartisan support spearheaded by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Rob Portman (R-OH).