Some of the nation’s biggest metro areas and states have local programs and laws regarding energy efficiency that building owners, investors and brokers should be aware of.  In my recent free-of-charge webinar, Engineering Returns Through Energy Efficiency, I discuss many of these programs that either provide funding for energy audits and implementation, or have some sort of energy disclosure law to create transparency in the market and reward energy efficient buildings. 

A few of these programs and laws are listed below.  To learn more, check out the webinar which is available to view on demand until June 21st.

Local energy efficiency rebates and incentives:

There are many utility- and government-provided programs that offer rebates and incentives for completing energy audits or implementing efficiency measures.  A few such programs are described below, but most utilities offer some sort of incentive so it never hurts to call them and ask. 

Dallas/Forth Worth, TX

One such program in the Dallas / Fort Worth Area is Oncor’s Commercial Energy Audit Program.  Through Oncor’s program, eligible commercial customers can receive a no cost energy audit and assistance identifying and estimating potential Oncor incentives from Oncor’s energy efficiency programs.

Houston, TX

In Houston there are a couple programs:

  • Houston Retro-Commissioning Program
  • City of Houston’s Energy Efficiency Incentive Program

CA Programs

In California there are numerous programs including:

  • Property Assessed Clean Energy or CA PACE financing program
  • PGE, LADWP, SCE and SDGE utility companies all have separate rebate programs
  • Los Angeles Commercial Building Performance Partnership
  • State of California Low Income Multifamily Weatherization Assistance Program
  • Los Angeles County Multifamily Whole Building Pilot Program
  • San Francisco County Energy Upgrade California Multifamily Program
  • San Diego County Energy Upgrade California Multifamily Program
  • Sacramento SMUD Home Performance Program – Multi-Family
  • Energy Upgrade California Multifamily Program Alameda County
  • San Diego Gas & Electric Company Retro-Commissioning Program

NJ Programs

A few New Jersey programs include:

  • —New Jersey Multifamily Weatherization Program
  • —New Jersey Pay for Performance Program New Construction
  • —New Jersey Pay for Performance Program Existing Buildings

Mid Atlantic Programs

In the Mid Atlantic area there are numerous programs including:

  • —Delmarva Enhanced Commissioning Program
  • —Pepco Enhanced Commissioning Program
  • —Delmarva Energy Savings Program
  • —Pepco Energy Savings Program

New York

One such program in New York is the NYSERDA Multifamily New and Existing Building Energy Audits.

Locales with energy disclosure laws

Laws are being passed around the country that require building owners to report their building’s energy efficiency either during a property transaction or on a regular basis, and some go beyond that to require audits and retro-commissioning.  Several that have already been passed are listed below, and other municipalities are considering similar measures.

San Francisco, CA

San Francisco is one city that requires commercial building owners to report their energy use through its “Existing Commercial Building Energy Performance Ordinance.”

 

Washington state and Seattle

Washington and Seattle both have disclosure laws that require commercial and multifamily building owners to report their energy use through the “Energy First” bill and the “Building Energy Benchmarking & Reporting Ordinance,” respectively.

Austin, TX

Austin’s energy disclosure law requires commercial and multifamily building owners to report their energy use through the “Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure Ordinance (ECAD.).”

 

Washington D.C.

Washington DC has a disclosure law that requires building owners to report their energy use through the “Green Building Act” of 2006.

NYC

New York City’s disclosure law requires commercial building owners to report their energy use and perform periodic energy audits and retro-commissioning through the “Greener Greater Buildings Plan.”

 

More info on these disclosure laws can also be found here.