Making Benchmarking Mainstream

In January, USGBC launched its second advocacy campaign of
2012, Mainstream Benchmarking.  Through
this campaign we will advocate for policies that will bring the benefits of energy
benchmarking to all commercial buildings. 

So why benchmarking? Why now? 

The answer is simple. The green building movement has made
many technologies and processes standard practice by building new LEED buildings
and by retrofitting existing buildings; however, many spaces are not considered
energy efficient.  There are low and no
cost opportunities to stop this energy waste still abound.

Benchmarking is the process of quantifying a building’s
energy consumption and comparing it to a standard to see how it is performing.
The process shows whether or not a building is using too much energy
comparatively or if it is a leader in energy performance. Without benchmarking,
those low and no-cost opportunities to save energy will never be found. We have
the free tools available to start making benchmarking part of standard building
operation.

That’s why we are asking our advocates to start a
conversation in their area about benchmarking. Many leading cities have
launched benchmarking initiatives, and are already beginning to reap the
benefits.   In the past few years, several local and state
governments currently have codified
benchmarking policies. Momentum around benchmarking is growing. 

One example is New York City. The Urban Green Council worked
closely with the Mayor’s office and the commercial real estate industry to help
iron out the details of Local
Law 84 requiring benchmarking and disclosure of energy use in New York
City’s commercial buildings. This law is a cornerstone of PlanNYC and
is a great example of how USGBC advocates can work with local governments to
effect positive change through education, advocacy, and support. Visit Urban Green’s benchmarking
site for more information and check out the benchmarking
section of their blog.

 

The Mainstream
Benchmarking campaign comes on the heels of USGBC’s first campaign roll out
of 2012 – Leadership
with LEED. Both campaigns highlight the leadership roles policymakers play
in promoting better building practices. On one side, governments can adopt
policies that ensure all public buildings are designed to be more efficient, saving
taxpayer dollars. On the other, governments can push commercial buildings to
benchmark so that energy waste is eliminated. 

Check back for updates on our residential advocacy efforts
through the Highlight Green Homes Campaign,
next to be unveiled. To find out more about these and all our 2012 campaigns,
visit www.usgbc.org/campaigns. As
always, if you want to get involved in USGBC advocacy, let me know.