Finally... A Better Buildings Initiative with some legs

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 21:27:00 GMT

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the Buildings in our communities consume nearly half (49%) of all energy produced in the United States. Seventy-seven percent (77%) of all the electricity produced in the U.S. is used just to operate buildings. Globally, these percentages are even greater. By comparison buildings consume 40% of the worlds energy. In truth, the Building Sector was responsible for nearly half (46.9%) of U.S. CO2 emissions in 2009. By comparison, transportation accounted for 33.5% of CO2 emissions and industry just 19.6%. That’s more than transportation.

These and other facts on the environmental impact of buildings have become the center piece on many high level talks on climate change. However, to date economic tools with any real teeth has been lacking to motivate building owners and developers to take the necessary action that will begin to redverse these environmental impacts while spurring the economy. This might soon change. The US Administration’s Better Buildings Initiative (BBI) proposed on February 3, 2011, includes commercial building efficiency tax credits. The BBI tax credits proposed for meeting energy reductions below ASHRAE 90.1-2004 (baseline) are:

• $0.60 per square foot for a 20% to 29% reduction,

• $0.90 per square foot for a 30% to 49% reduction, and

• $1.80 per square foot for a reduction of 50% or more.

The tax credits are included in the President’s budget which still awaits congressional approval. Lets hope they come to a decision soon. For more information……………..

http://architecture2030.org/downloads/BBI_factsheet_FINAL.pdf

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Finally... A Better Buildings Initiative with some legs