WASHINGTON, DC—The House of Representatives has passed the so-called "Tenant Star" bill. It follows passage of a similar measure in the Senate. Now the bills are headed to President Obama's desk for signature.
The bill authorizes the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy to create a voluntary "Tenant Star" program modeled after the ENERGY STAR program.
Once it is signed into law and implementing guidelines are written for it, the program is expected to provide similar branding and recognition for property owners and tenants that design, construct and operate energy-efficient building spaces.
The Tenant Star program is voluntary, Empire State Realty Trust CEO Anthony E. Malkin, notes. "Tenant Star will encourage office tenants to incorporate into the construction of their leased premises common sense, cost-effective measures that yield excellent returns on investment over short pay-back periods," Malkin, who also chairs The Real Estate Rountable's Sustainability Policy Advisory Committee, says in a prepared statement.
The program will also help building owners to attract financiers, investors, and tenants, Roundtable CEO Jeff DeBoer says
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