Feds Must Lease Space in Energy Effecient Buildings

A new law went into effect in late December 2010, mandating that (with few exceptions) federal agencies may only occupy space in buildings that carry the U.S. EPA's ENERGY STAR label.

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 formally went into effect on December 19, 2010. The General Services Agency (GSA), which handles leasing and property matters on behalf of the Federal Government, began integrating the new leasing requirements into negotiations and leases as of September of 2010.

A famous saying is "don't fight the Fed". This is generally attributed to fiscal policy, but the Federal government is the nation's largest commercial tenant, leasing more than 370 million square feet of space in 2008 alone. When the Fed says we only lease in ENERGY STAR buildings, commercial property owners and managers listen.

Sustainability is no longer a trend, it is now a policy.

Make Your Building More Energy Efficient

Do you know the cost savings impact of "greening" your building? Johnson Controls has launched a website aimed at helping building owners calculate and quantify the savings from improving the energy efficiency of their buildings.

The site: makeyourbuildingswork contains a "Put Your Building to Work" calculator, which allows users to select the type and location of building in which they work or operate, and insert the building's square footage and annual energy costs. The calculator then generates the estimated savings that could be achieved  by maximizing energy efficiency. Access the calculator (HERE). 

The site also offers the Top 10 Energy Cost Savings Tips which can be downloaded (HERE).