Though many states have adopted or will soon adopt the latest model energy codes, many new homes and businesses fail to comply with mandatory efficiency requirements, consuming far more energy and money to operate than they should. This fact sheet includes information about the benefits of building energy codes and steps that policymakers can take … Continued
Building energy codes are one of the nation's most effective means of reducing energy costs and cutting pollution, but widespread noncompliance weakens these savings. An analysis by an IMT-led task force of experts reveals an annual spending need of $810 million for compliance initiatives at all levels of government, including training, outreach, implementation, and enforcement. … Continued
This document answers questions regarding the purpose of the Save Act, how it would work, when the legislation would take effect and much more.
Worldwide, commercial building energy rating and disclosure mandates are becoming more common as policymakers target the building sector in energy and climate protection policies. Although the United States has no policy equivalent to the European Union’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), rating and disclosure policies are beginning to appear in states and local jurisdictions. … Continued
2008 Figure: EIA 2005 Residential Energy Consumption Survey: Energy Consumption and Expenditures Table US10. Average Expenditures by Fuels Used, 2005, Dollars per Household, adjusted for 2008 using BLS Household Energy Price Index. 2008 Figure: The Tax Foundation, Property Taxes on Owner-Occupied Housing by County, 2005 – 2008, Ranked by Taxes as Percentage of Home Value, … Continued
With climate protection and energy security issues at the forefront of global politics, improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings is emerging as a central goal for policymakers. In the United States, buildings account for nearly 40% of greenhouse gas emissions,1 about half of which are from existing commercial buildings… (Continue reading by downloading the … Continued
Goal: Enable the market to internalize the financial impacts of energy efficiency by reforming standard residential underwriting and appraisal practices. Read what IMT’s Cliff Majersik has to say about addressing this issue by clicking on the PDF.
IMT, NRDC, and USGBC together submitted general and detailed comments and suggestions regarding the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources’ Building Energy Asset Labeling Program White Paper, "An MPG Rating for Commercial Buildings: Establishing a Building Energy Asset Labeling Program in Massachusetts." To view them, download the PDF.
This brief covers public policy goals and legislative objectives such as updatingunderwriting standards for federally insured mortgages to accurately reflect energy costs. To read the brief in its entirety, download the PDF.
Energy ratings can make properties more profitable, and managing building energy use is a multi-billion-dollar industry and growing. Read about these benefits and more in this two-page backgrounder.