Contact: Adriana Hochberg | [email protected] | 202.535.1983
Washington, DC –Today the District published the second annual disclosure of energy and water consumption data for large commercial and multifamily buildings in the city.
District Department of the Environment (DDOE) Acting Director Tommy Wells noted the critical role large businesses in the District play in protecting our environment through energy efficiency. “Companies that benchmark their energy and water use understand that real savings can be achieved through effective management,” said Wells. “It is smart business practice for companies to track and report their energy usage so they can make wise investments and attract new customers and residents, while helping protect the environment.”
The District was the first jurisdiction in the country to require private buildings to measure and report their energy performance. Analysis of the 2013 reported data indicates that:
- DC commercial buildings continue to be exceptionally efficient. The median reported ENERGY STAR® score for private commercial buildings in the District was 74 out of 100—well above the national median score of 50.
- Buildings increased in efficiency from 2012 to 2013. Also, overall site energy use went up by 1.5% among buildings that reported 2012 and 2013 data. However, when accounting for weather impacts and fuel differences, the weather-normalized source energy use for the same set of buildings decreased by 3% in 2013.
- Buildings that regularly track their energy use are continuing to save more energy each year. Buildings that have reported data back to 2010 have reduced energy usage by 9% on average, adjusting for weather, over that three-year period.
- High compliance rate. To date, over 70% of buildings required to report energy benchmarking data to DDOE have done so.
The data is required by the city's energy benchmarking law and reflects energy performance during the 2013 calendar year. It covers buildings over 100,000 square feet and includes 736 buildings, representing over 200 million square feet. A detailed analysis of the data will be included in the District's forthcoming annual Green Building Report.
“We believe that energy management practices and public disclosure are an opportunity for building owners and managers to set goals, track progress, ensure efficient operations, reduce operating costs, and attract like-minded clients to lease space in high-performing and well-maintained buildings,” said Eugenia Gregorio, Director of Corporate Responsibility for the Tower Companies. “We support energy benchmarking because it helps to drive healthy competition, collaboration, and success for all stakeholders involved in the real estate industry.”
The energy and water benchmarking data is already allowing the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU), the District’s energy efficiency provider under contract to DDOE, to identify buildings and customer groups with the greatest energy savings potential.
“Access to this benchmarking data is imperative for the DCSEU to implement cost-effective strategies that reduce energy costs for the District’s largest energy users and help other businesses discover new ways to save,” said Ted Trabue, Managing Director of the DCSEU.
The next annual reporting deadline is April 1, 2015, and covers all private buildings over 50,000 gross square feet. Buildings that did not report in 2014 may be fined for failing to comply.
- View the energy and water benchmarking data for 2013.