Legislation: A Model For Reducing Building Energy Use

utiliVisor thumbnail Logo
utiliVisor Team
Sep 20, 2019
The Brooklyn Bridge over a river with New York City in the background

New York City Energy

New York City continues to take bold leaps in energy efficiency legislation. To meet the city’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050, the New York City Council introduced Int. No. 1253.  Since buildings are the highest contributors to the city’s carbon footprint, the council is emphasizing the need for buildings to take responsibility for their role in addressing climate change. The bill would not only establish the Office of Building Energy Performance, but it also lays out a framework for achieving building energy efficiency.

From An Empowerment Approach To A Requirement Approach

A key takeaway is a shift from legislation that focuses on empowering building owners with information and incentives to a framework that requires owners to implement energy efficiency systems. The council recognized that education and outreach are needed so that the efficiency goals and emissions reductions would come to fruition. The bill includes a provision of assistance for owners, managers, and other building workers. Other points that stand out in the bill are the greenhouse gas emissions limits for existing buildings and the expansion of existing retro-commissioning requirements to certain buildings over 25,000 square feet.

Developing An Energy Efficiency Framework

The creation of a framework that would support the ambitious timeline made partnerships a necessity. The Real Estate Board of New York, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and SEIU 32BJ (the largest property service workers union in the U.S.) set aside their differences to develop a structure that would actualize the requirements. The framework details the steps toward significant reductions in building energy use, significantly reducing New York City’s carbon footprint, while also standing as a leader in energy efficiency and climate change initiatives.

How Can Building Owners Use Submetering To Start The Process of Proposed Compliance?

The pressure to comply has created an even greater need for building owners to connect with energy experts that will serve as a bridge to real energy solutions that benefit the owner and tenant while meeting the requirements laid out in the bill. utiliVisor not only develops transparency of building data, but we also are the liaison for all parties involved in achieving energy efficiency.

By using your metering data for tenants, we help building owners identify substantial users and define a solution to meet these requirements – without polarizing tenants within the same building that are actively striving to achieve energy goals.

utiliVisor believes that understanding the building data and leveraging your submetering system is the first step towards meeting the proposed legislation.

Ready to talk to one of our energy experts?

About utiliVisor

Your tenant submetering and energy plant optimization services are an essential part of your operation. You deserve personalized energy insights from a team that knows buildings from the inside out, applies IoT technology and is energized by providing you with accurate data and energy optimization insights. When you need experience, expertise, and service, you need utiliVisor on your side, delivering consistent energy and cost-saving strategies to you. What more can our 40 years of experience and historical data do for you? Call utiliVisor at 212-260-4800 or visit utilivisor.com