What are your thoughts on mandatory energy benchmarking and building labeling? Your approach may differ depending on where you live, as disclosure and label laws vary greatly across the country.
At a panel during the 2012 Every Building Conference and Expo held in Seattle, industry experts offered their expertise and insights into this often debated topic.
Discussion was framed to cover the differences between mandatory and voluntary benchmarking, regulatory processes in various states, enforcement and compliance, operational rating/asset ratings, and the impact of Green Button solutions.
Rebecca Baker, Sustainability Coordinator, City of Seattle Office of Sustainability & Environment, described the unique challenges behind Seattle’s benchmarking and disclosure requirements, including an overview of the regulatory process, enforcement and compliance, and lessons learned.
Sylvester Giustino, Director of Legislative Affairs, BOMA/Greater New York, provided a very different look at how disclosure and labeling are handled in New York.
Louis Mantia, Senior Managing Director, Corporate Occupier & Investor Services, Cushman & Wakefield, tackled the issue from the perspective of an owner/manager. Deadlines, impediments to compliance such as data access, new vs. old buildings, and response and compliance issues, were all brought to the forefront of the discussion.
