Green Building, Renewable Energy Directories Launched

by | Mar 8, 2011

This article is included in these additional categories:

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Institute for Market Transformation (IMT) have launched a global library of building energy rating policies.

BuildingRating.org aims to create a standard way of comparing the energy performance of buildings, by providing a searchable library of rating and disclosure information.

Users of the website can search the energy performance policies of more than 100 countries and jurisdictions to learn how they are being implemented, what types of rating systems they are using to evaluate energy performance, and how policies are impacting markets, the two organizations said.

“This resource will be a conduit for policymakers to find and exchange ideas and best practices, and a tool for the real estate industry to track and comply with local policies and programs,” said Andrew Burr, director of the building energy rating program at IMT, a non-profit promoting energy efficiency, green building and environmental protection.

Such policies have been enacted in the European Union, China, Australia and nearly 20 U.S. states and cities. San Francisco enacted such a policy last month, requiring commercial property owners to publish data on the energy performance of their buildings.

IMT staff will update BuildingRating.org weekly to reflect new policies, policy proposals and research, the organization said.

“Governments around the world are embracing building energy rating and disclosure as a policy tool to reduce energy usage in homes and buildings, drive investments in building energy efficiency and boost local economies by creating jobs,” said Dale Bryk, director of NRDC’s air and energy program. “BuildingRating.org is a valuable resource that will help accelerate this trend in U.S. states and cities.”

Another new resource for comparing state policies is the American Council on Renewable Energy’s (ACORE) 2011 update and redesign of its report, Renewable Energy in America: Markets, Economic Development and Policy in the 50 States.

ACORE says the guide compiles financial, market, resource potential and policy information to give an overview of the highlights for the renewable energy sector in each state.

The report shows that Texas, California, and Iowa led in renewable energy generation capacity last year, while Iowa, Nebraska, and Illinois led in renewable fuels capacity.

Washington was the state with the most venture capital and private equity investment in renewables over the past two years, while Texas and Illinois received the most stimulus and tax credit funding.

The report said that 36 states plus the District of Columbia now have renewable energy standards dictating the amount of electricity generation or electric capacity that must be derived from renewable sources.

Additional articles you will be interested in.

Stay Informed

Get E+E Leader Articles delivered via Newsletter right to your inbox!

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Share This