News

August 18, 2010: Grist highlights the SAVE Act, a proposal to reform mortgage underwriting to account for energy costs and energy efficiency cost savings in homes. Read the article.

August 10, 2010: A proposed bill in San Francisco would require energy audits every five years for commercial buildings and strengthen California's statewide benchmarking law with other improvements. Read the press release from the city of San Francisco.

August 9, 2010: The need for energy efficiency and retrofitting programs has never been higher as the northeast accepts highly-desired oil reserves from Venezuela. The region uses unprecedented amounts of the dirty fuel and it's time to change attitudes and practices. Read it here.

July 12, 2010: Bill Fay, director of the Energy Efficient Codes Coalition, writes a guest column for the National League of Cities explaining the 30 Percent Solution 2012. Read the article.

July 28, 2010: Following heightened energy efficiency activity in US Congress, ClimateWire published a report detailing how homebuilders and efficiency advocates are pushing for an overhaul in residential energy use and reporting. Read the article.

July 12, 2010: The General Services Administration of the federal government will give preferential treatment to contractors who track their greenhouse gas emissions, starting in 2011 or 2012.  See the article.

June 2, 2010: The city of Rockvile, MD, passed new building codes that significantly strengthen energy efficiency and green building requirements. See the article.

May 3, 2010: New York City has completed energy efficiency benchmarking for every city-owned building over 10,000 square feet as part of the 2009 Greener Greater Buildings Plan. See the GlobeSt.com article.

May 2, 2010: The Miller McCune article "Energy and the Empire State," highlights the Empire State Building's $20 million energy retrofit and related building efficiency regulations, quoting IMT's Andrew Burr on the D.C. energy rating disclosure mandate. 

April 28, 2010: The U.S. Senate continues to look for a path forward on comprehensive energy and climate legislation. See the ClimateWire article.

April 21, 2010: Comprehensive legislation to make existing building more efficient in New York City is entering the implementation phase. See the New York Post article.

April 12, 2010: San Francisco will soon propose a law to publicly disclose the energy efficiency of most of the city's commercial buildings. See the article from the San Francisco Examiner.

April 2, 2010: RESNET voted to integrate the Commercial Energy Services Network (COMNET) into RESNET and create a COMNET standing committee chaired by Charles Eley of Architectural Services Corporation. COMNET is establishing new technical guidelines for energy simulations of commercial buildings and certification standards for building energy auditors and modelers. See the article.

March 23, 2010: The Washington, DC, region is a national leader in ENERGY STAR buildings, according to data from the U.S. EPA. See the Washington Post article.

March 11, 2010: The International Code Council has released the International Green Construction Code, a new high-performance code for buildings. See the press release.

Feb. 12, 2010: Building energy rating and disclosure mandates have been adopted by several state and local governments. Some building owners are making improvements now, to raise their energy ratings before they're made public.  Cliff Majersik is interviewed. Hear the 30-minute piece from Building Priorities Briefing.

Feb. 4, 2010: Building energy rating and disclosure mandates are gaining traction among U.S. policymakers in state and local governments. See the article from Law360.

Feb. 1, 2009: Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn signed a bill requiring owners of commercial and multifamily buildings in Seattle to rate the energy performance of their buildings and share that information with current tenants and prospective buyers, lessees and lenders, as well as with the city. The city ordinance expands on a rating and disclosure law passed in 2009 by the state of Washington. See the Seattle press release.

Jan. 25, 2010: The EPA is making gains with the ENERGY STAR for Homes program, but the national housing stock is plagued by inefficiency. See the article in The Daily Climate.

Jan. 25, 2010: Years in the making, the new ASHRAE Standard 189.1 for high-performance commercial construction was published on Jan. 22, 2010. See the ASHRAE press release and ASHRAE's page on the standard.

Jan. 1, 2010: The homebuilding industry is beginning to recognize the value of energy efficiency. See the article from BuilderOnline.com.

Jan. 18, 2010: The Obama Administration is allocating money to improve energy-efficient mortgages for homeowners. See the article from SmartMoney. 

During the week of Dec. 20, 2009, Mr. Majersik was featured in news segments by Clean Skies and WAMU Radio and quoted in the story "Energy Efficiency: Your Building May Soon be Tested," published by ClimateWire.

Jan. 7, 2010: A building energy rating and disclosure bill in Seattle passed out of committee unanimously last month and is scheduled for a full vote by the City Council on Jan. 19. The proposed city ordinance expands on a rating and disclosure mandate passed last year by the state of Washington. See IMT's page on Washington State and Seattle for more information. 

Jan. 3, 2010: A New York Times editorial cites recent building efficiency legislation in New York City as an example of serious commitments being made by U.S. states and cities to cut carbon emissions.

Jan. 1, 2010: Cliff Majersik is quoted in the Washington Post article "Energy Costs for D.C. Commercial Buildings to go Online". During the week of Dec. 20, 2009, Mr. Majersik was featured in news segments by Clean Skies and WAMU Radio and quoted in the story "Energy Efficiency: Your Building May Soon be Tested," published by ClimateWire. Those segments and stories all focused on  the DC building energy rating and disclosure mandate. See IMT's page on the DC mandate.

Dec. 10, 2009: In a landmark action, New York City enacted four bills that will greatly increase the energy efficiency of its building stock, create thousands of jobs and save hundreds of millions of dollars annually for consumers. The legislation includes mandatory building energy rating and disclosure using ENERGY STAR tools; an energy audit and retrocommissioning requirement; mandatory lighting upgrades and the sub-metering of tenant space; and the creation of a New York City Energy Code. IMT advised New York City officials on provisions of the legislation. For more information, please see IMT's page on the NYC legislation or:

• Coverage from the New York Times
• IMT press release
• New York City press release
• New York City Council press release

Nov. 23, 2009: The U.S. Green Building Council released its green jobs study, which found that green building will support nearly 8 million jobs and contribute $554 billion to the U.S. economy over the next four years. See the press release or download the full study.

Nov. 20, 2009: CB Richard Ellis, a worldwide commercial property services firm, reported that occupants of green buildings experience fewer sick days and better employee productivity than occupants of conventional buildings. In surveying more than 150 of its buildings, CBRE also found higher rents and lower vacancy rates in green buildings -- those that carry LEED certification and/or the government's Energy Star label. See the press release and coverage from BusinessWeek Online.

Nov. 20, 2009: A New York Times article examines the feasibility of a "Cash for Caulkers" program for home weatherizations. Former President Clinton is among the backers of such a program. See the NYTimes article, "A Stimulus that Could Save Money".

Nov. 3, 2009: The IECC (International Energy Conservation Code) Development Committee of the International Code Council (ICC) has recommended the adoption of comprehensive code proposals for homes and commercial buildings that would result in energy efficiency gains approaching 30%. IMT helped organize support and testimony for several of these proposals. Read the press release.

IMT is referenced and quoted in the article "IECC Building Code Recommendations Add Up to 30% in Energy Efficiency Gains" in Environmental Leader.

Oct. 20, 2009: IMT's Cliff Majersik was quoted in an article by SmartMoney on consumer vetting of energy-efficient appliances.

Sept. 28: California on Thursday approved what it is calling the most aggressive energy efficiency plan among U.S. states, earmarking $3.1 billion for home retrofits and other programs that will cut power needs equivalent to three medium-sized power plants. See the Reuters article.

Sept. 16, 2009: IMT's Cliff Majersik, one of the architects of Washington, DC's Clean and Affordable Energy Act of 2008, was quoted in an August article by FacilitiesNet that examines the groundbreaking legislation.

September 8, 2009 article: Commissioning can save the nation $30 billion a year in energy costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 300 million tons a year and create thousands of new jobs - using existing technologies and at a price so cheap that it would pay for itself in the first year.

August 20, 2009: Putting Energy Efficiency Benefits in Perspective: At Summit, Political Leaders Discuss Role of Efficiency in Clean Energy Economy

As part of a growing movement, IMT is working on ENERGY STAR benchmarking mandates for commercial buildings.  IMT is working with several other organizations representing interested stakeholders, and the work is supported by the Energy Foundation.  Visit our Benchmarking and Disclosure program page for more information and resources.

August 4, 2009: NY Times article on federal climate bill's building energy label provision

July 29, 2009:  A new detailed report released by consulting firm McKinsey & Company found that the US could save $1.2 trillion and cut projected non-transportation energy use by 23 percent through 2020, by investing $520 billion in energy efficiency improvements.  The report provided practical solutions such as better education on potential energy efficiency savings, stronger building codes, and financial incentives for efficiency improvements.  The report also provides an assessment of the barriers that impede the capture of greater efficiency.  IMT's Cliff Majersik contributed to the report.

July 17, 2009: NY Times article "A New Enforcer in Buildings, the Energy Inspector" describes studies that show how a policy change enforcing a more energy efficient national building code can reduce the nation's contribution to global warming, reduce our energy consumption, and save homeowners money.

June 30, 2009: USGBC to Monitor Energy Performance of LEED Buildings

June 26, 2009: The U.S. House of Representatives approved the American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) bill 219 to 212. The bill would transform the U.S. economy in four decades, replacing most US carbon dioxide emissions and fossil fuel consumption with a clean energy economy built around energy efficiency and renewable energy.  The CBO estimates that the net annual cost of the legislation would be approximately $175 per household in 2020. This analysis comes on the heels of a new study that found 1.7 million jobs would be created by the clean energy legislation.  ACEEE estunates that the bill could save $4,400 per household and generate 770,000 jobs by 2030. IMT research influenced two building efficiency provisions of the bill. The building energy labeling provision was narrowed. The bill retained its strongbuilding energy code provision. The fate of energy and climate legislation now depends on the Senate and its committees.

June 26, 2009: IMT's Cliff Majersik quoted in AIA article, "Measuring Sustainability Performance Means Establishing Design Value"

June 1, 2009: AIA and NBI are co-sponsoring proposal to strengthen by 25% the efficiency requirements for commercial buildings of the 2012 International Energy Conserviation Code (IECC).  The Core Building Energy Efficiency Code is also a best-practice model for state and local adoption. Article

June 1, 2009: ENERGY STAR provides sample text for state and local governments to integrate ENERGY STAR into EECBG Activity Worksheets.

May 21, 2009: the American Clean Energy and Security Act passed the Energy and Commerce Committee on a 33-to-25 vote. In addition to creating a mechanism for capping and trading greenhouse gases, the bill creates a national building energy label and strengthens building energy codes and enforcement - provisions which reflect IMT research. New York Times article.  ACEEE analysis shows that the bill would save $3,900 per household by 2030. Energy and climate legislation is also pending in Senate committees.

May 21, 2009: NY Times article "The Race for Better Building Codes" describes states racing to strengthen their building energy codes, partially in response to the new federal Recovery Act. 

ENERGY STAR released a guidance for states on Making the Most of Your Energy Efficiency ARRA funding.  Learn more at ENERGY STAR for governments. 

May 15, 2009: New version of the Waxman-Markey bill "The American Clean Energy and Security Act" (HR 2454) released.  The bill includes provisions on building energy codes and building energy labeling.  Read a summary of the bill by NRDC's David Doniger.  NRDC's Lane Burt examines the building energy segments of the bill in his blog. 

May 15, 2009:  IMT in the news - Massachusetts voted to adopt a stretch energy code, based on New Buildings Institute's Core Performance, that would make new commercial buildings under 100,000 square feet up to 30 percent more energy efficient than base standards.  The article includes IMT's preliminary study that suggests that advanced building codes such as those put forth by MA could create 20,000 jobs nationally. 

May 8, 2009: Washington state's Governor Gregoire signed a comprehensive efficiency law today that includes provisions for commercial building benchmarking, a 70% increase in building energy efficiency through building energy codes by 2031, and the establishment of performance standards for publicly owned and leased buildings.  The NW Energy Coalition published an article summarizing the provisions of the law.  The Puget Sound Business Journal's article examines impacts of the law, including the estimated jobs created by efficiency measures.  See IMT's document comparing benchmarking laws.

May 1, 2009: ASHRAE released the third public review draft of ASHRAE/USGBC/IESNA/BSR Standard 189.1P which was open for comment through June 15th.  The non-government members of the DC GBAC submitted a comment in support of the draft.

April 22, 2009: Mayor Bloomberg and the New York City council introduce legislation that aims to make major cuts in energy use in accordance with PlaNYC. The bills include a benchmarking bill, energy code bill, audits and retrofits bill, and a lighting upgrades bill. Read the April 22 NYTimes article City Plans to Make Older Buildings Refit to Save Energy.  Read the April 22 NY Post article Landlords Will Need More Green.  New York's initiatives were featured in two CoStar articles on May 1, Bloomberg Pushes Energy E fficiency Laws for New York Buildings and A Big Win for Energy-Efficient Product Makers.

April 22, 2009: "The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009" (the Waxman-Markey Bill) in Congress contains a building energy labeling provision partially based on the DC Energy Act's ENERGY STAR rating and disclosure requirement, which IMT helped craft. Read CoStar's article

April 15, 2009: Co-Star's article Institutional Investors Pay More for Energy-Efficient Buildings, Study Finds, reports on an academic study revised in March 2009.  The study finds that institutional investment firms are recognizing the enhanced market value of energy-efficient property and factoring it into their real estate investments. 

April 11, 2009: Today's Washington Post article, "Disclosing Energy Efficiency", highlights the Obama administration's goal to inform consumers and provide financing for energy-efficient buildings.  The article outlines the benefits of energy labeling and disclosure, as well as energy-efficient mortgages that could encourage purchases and retrofits that save energy.  

March 16, 2009: Task force to create global metrics for building CO2 emissions.

March 9, 2009: A Wall Street journal article highlights efforts underway to green federal government building stock.

February 18, 2009: CoStar's article on the upcoming launch of the ASHRAE Building Energy Label quotes IMT's Cliff Majersik.

The Energy Independence Act of 2007 requires that beginning in 2010 the General Services Administration (GSA) lease only space that achieves at least a 75 Energy Star Rating.

September 2008: The “30% Solution” falls short of full adoption by International Codes Council in Minneapolis. The "30% Solution" is a comprehensive package of achievable and affordable energy-efficiency improvements to the model enegy code resulting in a 30% improvement in building energy codes.  IMT is a member of the Energy Efficient Codes Coalition which developed and supports the 30% Solutuion.

July 17, 2008: California adopts green building codes, mandating recycled materials, low-flow plumbing fixtures, water-efficient landscaping and a 15% increase in its already advanced energy efficiency requirements.  The codes become mandatory in 2010 and were supported by the California Building Industry Association.

June 27, 2008: NYC City Council holds hearing on a bill to mandate ENERGY STAR benchmarking of public and private buildings. Mayor Bloomberg and his PlaNYC are driving forces behind the bill.
State and local legislation leveraging ENERGY STAR

June 2008: IMT leads a two-week US study tour by a group of leading Russian and Ukrainian building code officials and building energy efficiency experts.  The tour was funded by US EPA, REEEP and the Trust for Mutual Understanding.

June 2008: IMT gives the Ukrainian State Research Institute of Building Construction a blower door for testing the air-tightness of buildings as part of energy audits -- it is the first blower door ever used in Ukraine.  With assistance and training from the IMT-CENEf project team, the Institute developed Ukraine's first-ever blower door standard.

January 31, 2008: Article "Moscow's New Skyline: Grandiose and Green"

Saving Energy, Growing Jobs: How Environmental Protection Promotes Economic Growth, Competition, Profitability and Innovation by David Goldstein, who chairs IMT's board of directors is now available from bookstores around the country.

China: IMT collaborates with NRDC on International Demand Side Management (DSM) Forum held in Beijing in July 2007. This was the most important event in China's DSM history, in terms of both the level and extent of participation, according to the Vice Minister of China's National Development and Reform Commissions.  Our project team is now organizing a US Study tour on the same topic for 17 high-level Chinese decision makers.

IMT is supporting energy-saving building code implementation in the Russian Federation, the  Republic of Kazakhstan and Ukraine.  In January 2007 Ukraine followed the other two nations in adopting a new energy-saving code with IMT's help.  Results to date.

IMT was the lead expert contributor to the  energy-efficient lease section of the California Energy Commission paper on, "Options for Energy Efficiency in Existing Buildings." The paper ranks proposed measures for cost effectiveness.

Oct. 2, 2009: The D.C. Public Service Commission on Sept. 28 approved a decoupling proposal from Pepco, the Washington, DC-based utility, that becomes effective next month. Traditionally, utility profits are tied to the sale/distribution of energy, which creates a strong disincentive for utilities to promote energy efficiency and other measures that would reduce sales. Decoupling attacks this barrier by providing a stable revenue stream to the utility regardless of sales volume. Because it is cheaper to meet energy demands through efficiency than by building new power plants and substations, IMT believes decoupling will save money for DC residential and commercial ratepayers. See the DCPSC order approving Pepco's decoupling proposal.

June 10, 2009: IMT's Cliff Majersik and USGBC's Brendan Owens led a DC 2010 Building Code and ASHRAE Standard 189.1P Draft Review Session sponsored by the DC Building Industry Association (DCBIA). Three slideshows: DC building code status/process, ASHRAE Standard 189.1 and Core Performance Energy Code

May 27, 2009: IMT's Cliff Majersik led a DC 2010 Building Code and ASHRAE Standard 189.1 Draft Review Session co-sponsored by the DC Green Building Advisory Council and the DC Building Industry Association (DCBIA). 

May 15, 2009: For the first time ever, the PJM forward capicity auction receives energy efficiency bids. 569 MW of new efficiency resources successfully cleared the auction.  And, PJM accepted a record level of demand response bids.  Together these new resources lowered clearing prices saving money for electric ratepayers from DC to Ohio.  These auctions provide ignificant new funding for efficiency and demand response.  Kudos to the ACEEE-led team on crafting the proposal accepted by PJM to open auctions to efficiency!

May 7, 2009: Maryland's Governor O'Malley signs the "Maryland Building Performance Standards - Energy Conservation and Efficiency Act" (SB625) into law.  It adopts IECC 2009 and accelerates future state and local building energy code adoptions. IMT's Cliff Majersik testified in committee on the bill. Fiscal and policy note. Read the Bill. Bill Summary from the Building Codes Assistance Project. See Bill Signing.  

DC's Green Building Act requires the Mayor to submit to the City Council by 1/1/2010 new building codes "that shall incorporate as many green building practices as practicable…”  With that in mind, there is news regarding three model building codes that DC is tracking:

• May 1, 2009: ASHRAE released the third public review draft of ASHRAE/USGBC/IESNA/BSR Standard 189.1P which is open for comment through June 15th.
• May 12: The Massachusetts Informative Appendix is a local option stretch code designed to be roughly 20% more energy efficient than the 2009 IECC.  The commercial portion of the Informative Appendix is based on the requirements of the New Buildings Institute Core Performance Guide.  Article.
• Rockville, Maryland has proposed greening amendments to the 2006 I-codes including the 30% Solution (EC154) low-rise residential buildings; ASHRAE 90.1-2007, NBI Core, or ASHRAE AEDGs for all other buildings; commissioning using LEED requirements; Energy Star Homes and commercial buildings requirements; and green code amendments including low-flow plumbing fixture requirements modeled on Washington, DC codes.  In addition, buildings over 7,000 square feet must provide a LEED checklist demonstrating that they are LEED certifiable.

April 22, 2009: The District of Columbia's "Green DC Agenda" details the city's commitments to improve the environment.  The commitments include the energy efficiency building codes that will improve residential efficiency by 30 percent, the expansion of green collar jobs, and LEED Silver green building standards for all public buildings.

April 20, 2009:  Alexandria adopts green building policy including LEED Silver for new commercial construction and LEED Certified for residential construction.  

April 17, 2009: Maryland passed a law to improve the state's building energy codes, enacting SB 625.  The law adopts the IECC as the model energy code; grants authority for the Department of Housing and Community Development to strengthen the model code; prohibits state or local amendments to weaken the model code; and requires local jurisdiction to begin enforcement of the code no later than six months after adoption of the standards.  IMT was part of the coalition of organizations that supported the bill, with Executive Director Cliff Majersik testifying in favor of the bill.

Arlington County is disclosing detailed energy information for all 67 of its government owned-buildings, bringing transparency to its pledge to reduce carbon emissions.  

Under contract to the Washington DC Economic Partnership, IMT helped the DC government to commission a green jobs study.  Published in February 2009, the study features economic research and modeling to project the number of new green jobs that will be created in DC in the coming years.  It also includes best practices profiles of green-job policies and findings from focus groups.  DC's Office of Planning lead the project.  Article. 

The February issue of the District of Columbia Building Industry Association's Pipeline includes an article by IMT: Energy-Saving Actions Yield High Returns -- And Attract Tenants. 

Cliff Majersik of IMT presented at the Good Jobs Green Jobs National Conference on February 4, 2009 in Washington DC.  The panel, "Spurring Private Investment in the Local Green Economy," focused on how to encourage private interest in the green economy on a local level, emphasizing the role of private capital.  The panel was moderated by Kate Gordon, Co-Director of the Apollo Alliance.  Other panelists included Michael Caplin of the Office of Economic Development of the City of Berkeley, Herve Houdre of Washington DC's Willard Hotel, and Emmaia Gelman of the Center for Working Families.

IMT's Cliff Majersik presented at a January 16, 2009 forum on "Complying with Green Building Requirements in DC" hosted by Arent Fox.  Cliff was joined by panelist Brendan Shane of the DC Department of the Environment.

Washington DC's "Clean and Affordable Energy Act of 2008" went into effect on October 1. The DC City Council unanimously passed the bill on July 15 and Mayor Adrian Fenty signed it on August 4.  Sponsored by DC Councilmember Mary Cheh and eight other councilmembers, the innovative and historic legislation establishes a sustainable energy utility that will be charged with reducing the city’s energy use, training District residents to perform energy-efficiency work (green-collar jobs) and helping low-income residents reduce their bills through energy efficiency. The proposed sustainable energy utility is based on successful models already in place in Vermont and Oregon .   The bill also increases the renewable energy portfolio standard (RPS) levels.  For the first time in the US, the bill mandates annual ENERGY STAR benchmarking and disclosure for non-residential buildings starting with government buildings and later large private non-residential buildings. IMT provided technical assistance in designing the legislation.

• Legislation
• CM Cheh Press Release
• CoStar Article (quotes IMT's Cliff Majersik)
• WBJ Article
• Summary of Sustainable Energy Utility

IMT helped the DC government to green DC's building codes under contract to the District Dept. of the Environment.  Working with the Green Building Advisory Council (GBAC), the Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS), building designers, developers, engineers, tradespeople, the DC Building Industries Association (DCBIA), government officials, neighboring jurisdictions, and other stakeholders IMT prepared a package of green building code amendments based on best practices from around the country.  The package was unanimously endorsed by the GBAC and was largely included in the revised proposed DC Construction Code Supplement of 2008 submitted to the City Council in early October by DCRA.  CM Cheh's Committee sent the codes to the full Council, which formally approved them on December 4, 2008.  (IMT's Cliff Majersik is DC Councilmember Cheh's representative on the GBAC.)  More

December 2008: DC adopted the 2008 District of Columbia Construction Code, raising the bar on energy efficiency, mandating low-flow plumbing fixtures, reducing the urban heat-island effect, and removing impediments to water efficiency from the existing code.

ENERGY STAR, Downtown DC Business Improvement District, IMT and Cool Capital Challenge held an in-person training on commercial building benchmarking in Downtown DC on June 17. Attendees learned how to use Portfolio Manager to establish baseline energy use, prioritize investments, set goals, and track energy use improvements over time.  Slideshow

IMT's Cliff Majersik presented at ULI Breakfast on the "Nexus of Politics and Green Building" June 3 in downtown DC  - slideshow

IMT, the Downtown DC Business Improvement District and Cool Capital Challenge organized an energy efficiency training for downtown office building property managers and engineers - IMT/Cool energy efficiency checklist - slideshows

IMT's Cliff Majersik helped write Washington DC Mayor-elect Fenty Energy Transition team's policy recommendations and calculate energy use by DC government buildings and the resulting CO2 emissions.  (The DC government spent $70 million on energy for its buildings in FY2006.)  IMT analysis of DC's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and US Energy Information Agency data indicates that 75% of DC's emissions are attributable to the building sector.

IMT is a leading partner of the Cool Capital Challenge,a public-private partnership to unite the Washington region in fighting climate change.

IMT's Cliff Majersik presented at an ENERGY STAR Networking Meeting on May 22 for Energy Managers, Building Owners/Managers, Facilities Personnel, and ESCOs at Pepco's DC office - slideshow

February 20, 2008: DC Mayor Fenty joins mayors from around the country in calling for a 30% improvement in building energy codes

IMT is also helping DC to commission economic research and modeling to project the number of new green-collar jobs that will be created in DC in coming years.  Details.

On January 10, 2008, IMT presented on greening building codes to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' (MWCOG) Intergovernmental Green Building Work Group (IGBG).  Favorably responding to an IMT proposal, the group issued a letter endorsing strengthening by 30% the national model energy code (the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code).
Meeting Highlights
Slideshow

On December 4, 2007, the Montgomery County Council unanimously approved a bill that will allow a property tax credit for LEED-certified buildings The bill’s primary sponsor was Councilmember Nancy Floreen, chair of the Council’s Transportation and Environment Committee. The bill was co-sponsored by Councilmembers Mike Knapp and George Leventhal.

On November 6, 2007, DC Councilmember Mary Cheh and eight other councilmembers introduced "The Clean and Affordable Energy Act of 2007."  The legislation will establish a sustainable energy utility that will be charged with reducing the city’s energy use, training District residents to perform green-collar jobs and helping low-income residents reduce their bills through energy efficiency. The proposed sustainable utility is based on successful models already in place in Vermont and Oregon.   The bill also increases the RPS levels and mandates annual ENERGY STAR benchmarking and disclosure for DC government buildings and large private non-residential buildings.   The bill will help achieve CM Cheh's greenhouse gas reduction goals.  IMT provided technical assistance in designing the legislation. A hearing is scheduled for January 30.
Legislation
CM Cheh's Press Release

On October 12, 2007, more than 50 energy policy leaders from DC, Maryland and Virginia participated in a lively policy briefing on "Delaware's new Sustainable Energy Utility as a model for the Mid-Atlantic."
The briefing was sponsored by IMT, the Center for American Progress, the DC Dept. of the Environment, DC Councilmember Mary Cheh, Maryland Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), the DC Environmental Network, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and the Cool Capital Challenge.  It was hosted by the Center for American Progress in Downtown DC.
Details - Participant list - Delaware SEU Task force Home Page - Delaware SEU Slide Show - IMT Slide Show - Delaware SEU Briefing Paper - Delaware SEU Shared Savings and Other Examples

Also on October 12, 2007 the DC Public Service Commission issued an order stating its intent to create a “Sustainable Energy Program” with a competitive solicitation for the administrator of efficiency and renewables programs for the District, similar to Efficiency Vermont (per footnote # 60). The design of the SEP and the competitive solicitation are TBD and would be subject to provisions of possible DC Council energy legislation that is now being developed by Councilmember Cheh.

On October 19, 2007, DC Mayor Adrian Fenty signed the Energy Efficiency Standards Act of 2007 (B17-211), which was introduced by Councilmember Mary Cheh and unanimously adopted the the DC City Council -- press release on bill and green agenda. As a result, future energy savings with a net present value of over $50 million will accrue to residential and commercial consumers in the District.  DC's standards are largely identical to Maryland's new standards.   IMT assisted in drafting the Act.

On September 20, 2007, more than 60 property managers and engineers of large commercial buildings participated in a Cool Energy Training to learn best O&M practices to save energy -- description, slideshows and video.  The training was led and sponsored by IMT, the Cool Capital Challenge, the Downtown DC Business Improvement District and ENERGY STAR.  It was hosted by Akridge and IBEW.

Governors Kaine and O’Malley release energy and climate change initiatives in Maryland and Virginia and push for national action.  (Background on Maryland climate policy)

Green Building Act regulations:  DC Mayor's September 21, 2007 order dividing GBA responsibilities and Montgomery County implementing regulations. IMT's Cliff Majersik helped craft the Washington DC Green Building Act enacted on December 28, 2006.  He is quoted in two national stories on the Act: National Public Radio's All Things Considered and Washington Post front-page article

IMT, the Center for American Progress and DC City Councilmember Mary Cheh convened June 20, 2007 and March 21, 2007, meetings of Washington-area energy efficiency policymakers, experts and advocates to discuss opportunities for inter- jurisdictional cooperation in the Mid-Atlantic region:  IMT's main presentation and Efficiency Vermont presentation.