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B 25-0801

Building Energy Performance Standards Amendment Act of 2024

25th Council Period (2023-2024) Introduced by Charles Allen

Building Energy Performance Standards Amendment Act of 2024 OverviewBill Number: B 25-0801 Title: Building Energy Performance Standards Amendment Act of 2024Status: Final Reading,

Final Reading, CC
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Bill Summary · B 25-0801

Building Energy Performance Standards Amendment Act of 2024

Overview

Bill Number: B 25-0801
Title: Building Energy Performance Standards Amendment Act of 2024
Status: Final Reading, CC
Introduced: May 01, 2024

Purpose and Intent

The Building Energy Performance Standards Amendment Act of 2024 aims to strengthen energy efficiency requirements for new and existing buildings in the city. The bill is intended to help the city meet its ambitious climate goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the building sector, which accounts for a significant portion of the city's total emissions.

Key Provisions

  • Lowers the energy performance threshold for new commercial and multifamily buildings, requiring them to be 30% more efficient than the current standard.
  • Establishes a mandatory building energy performance standard for existing commercial and multifamily buildings over 10,000 square feet, requiring them to meet specific energy efficiency targets.
  • Requires building owners to conduct regular energy audits and make necessary upgrades to improve energy performance.
  • Creates a new incentive program to provide financial assistance to building owners for energy efficiency retrofits and upgrades.
  • Enhances the city's building energy benchmarking and transparency program, requiring more detailed reporting and public disclosure of building energy use data.
  • Authorizes the city to enforce compliance with the new energy performance standards, including the ability to levy fines for noncompliance.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Commercial and multifamily building owners will be required to meet the new energy performance standards, necessitating investments in energy efficiency upgrades and retrofits.
  • Tenants of affected buildings may see changes in energy costs and building operations as a result of the efficiency improvements.
  • The construction and building services industries will likely experience increased demand for energy efficiency-related products and services.
  • The city's sustainability and climate action goals are expected to benefit from the reduced greenhouse gas emissions and energy use resulting from the new standards.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

The Building Energy Performance Standards Amendment Act of 2024 is currently in the final reading stage at the City Council. If passed, the new energy performance standards would be phased in over the next several years, with the requirements for new buildings taking effect immediately and the existing building standards being implemented in a staggered manner over the following 5-10 years. The city's Department of Energy and Environment will be responsible for developing the detailed implementation guidelines and enforcement mechanisms.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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