Energy efficiency benchmarking: Coming to a B.C. building near you?

Media advisory: Pembina Institute hosts online forum with City of Seattle’s energy advisor, as B.C. municipalities call for action

You are invited to a free webinar on energy-efficient buildings. Register now.

Update: Missed the webinar? View the video, slides, and Twitter recap.


VANCOUVER / COAST SALISH TERRITORY — Municipalities in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland want large buildings to be required to track their energy and water consumption, and to report this data to the province every year.

The Lower Mainland Local Government Association recently passed a City of Richmond-sponsored resolution calling on the B.C. government to make energy benchmarking and annual reporting mandatory for buildings larger than a certain size (such as 50,000 square feet). In September, the Union of B.C. Municipalities will consider a similar resolution at its annual convention in Vancouver.

On June 14, the Pembina Institute will host Building Energy Benchmarking in B.C., a timely webinar featuring speakers from the City of Seattle, Real Property Association of Canada, City of Richmond, and Canada Green Building Council. An audience Q&A will follow the presentations.

Benchmarking allows property owners to compare the energy performance of their buildings with historical use and similar buildings. This, in turn, helps owners identify opportunities to save energy and water, and thereby save money on utility bills and reduce carbon pollution.

This low-cost, market-based approach is already being used in 25 North American cities, Ontario, Washington, and California, and numerous jurisdictions in the U.K., Europe, and Asia. The resolution passed by Lower Mainland municipal officials asks for building energy data to be made available to local governments to inform their climate change programs.

The public and media are invited to attend Building Energy Benchmarking in B.C. via web or telephone (free of charge). Online registration is required.

Building Energy Benchmarking in B.C.

Date: Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Time: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. (PDT)

Register: pembina.org/benchmarking

Panellists:

  • Duane Jonlin, energy code and energy conservation advisor, City of Seattle
  • Brooks Barnett, manager of government relations and policy, Real Property Association of Canada
  • Brendan McEwen, sustainability manager, City of Richmond
  • Akua Schatz, director of advocacy and development, Canada Green Building Council

Moderator: Dylan Heerema, analyst, Pembina Institute

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Join the conversation on Twitter: #BCBuildings @Pembina

Find photos for editorial use: flickr.com/pembina

Contact

Stephen Hui
Communications Lead, Pembina Institute
778-987-7654
stephenh@pembina.org
Tw: @StephenHui

Background

Report: Deep Emissions Reduction in the Existing Building Stock

Blog: Gas vs. electricity? Comparing home heating costs in B.C.

Report: Accelerating Market Transformation for High-Performance Building Enclosures

Action plan: Vision for Clean Growth in B.C.

Infographic

About the Pembina Institute

The Pembina Institute is a non-profit think-tank that advocates for strong, effective policies to support Canada’s clean energy transition. We have offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and Toronto. Learn more: www.pembina.org

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