Commercial, Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions  -  November 22, 2019

Philadelphia passes building efficiency program

The Philadelphia City Council passed on Nov. 22 a bill creating the Building Energy Performance Program, which is expected to cut carbon pollution in the city by nearly 200,000 metric tons.

Once implemented, the program will mandate all non-residential buildings 50,000 square feet or larger to either submit a certification of high energy performance to the City’s Office of Sustainability or conduct a tune-up to bring existing building energy systems up to a state of good repair.

“Just like cars, buildings require occasional tune-ups to ensure they’re performing at their peak,” Christine Knapp, Director of the City’s Office of Sustainability, said in a statement. “Tune-ups are small tweaks to existing systems and controls that will lead to cost savings for building owners and increased comfort for tenants.”

The city conducted a pilot “tune-up” on the Juvenile Justice Center in West Philadelphia, a $12,000 investment that will result in $24,000 in annual energy savings.

“In the absence of any efforts by the federal government to stop the causes of global climate change, I’m proud Philadelphia is joining cities around the country and the world in taking on this challenge,” Mayor Jim Kenney said. “Ensuring Philadelphia’s buildings are operating efficiently is a no-brainer: it saves money, creates jobs, and cuts the wasted energy causing pollution.”

The mayor previously committed to cutting carbon pollution in center 25% by 2025, in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, and 80% by 2050.

Accelerate Philly, Smart Energy Decisions' first city-specific event, is set for December 9-10 in Philadelphia. The event, created in partnership with the Philadelphia Energy Authority, will bring together large electric power users, renewable energy developers, suppliers, and government from the 11-county Greater Philadelphia region to advance best practices in renewable energy sourcing and energy efficiency.  For more information, visit the event website.