New Energy Efficiency Rules For D.C. Buildings Take Effect In 2010

By Jonathan Wilson

On January 1st, owners of large commercial buildings in D.C. will be required to measure the energy efficiency of their properties.

Under D.C.'s law, owners of buildings 200,000 sq. ft. or larger will begin measuring their energy efficiency next year, and by January of 2012, a public database of all such buildings will be available on the web.

Cliff Majersik is with the Institute for Market Transformation, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing energy efficiency.

He says tenants need to know this information for economic as well as environmental reasons. "If I'm a commercial tenant, I have a right to know how energy efficient a building is, especially because many commercial tenants end up paying energy bills themselves," says Majersik.

California already requires building owners to keep track of energy efficiency, but the ratings only have to be shared with people buying, leasing or financing a building. D.C. will be the first jurisdiction to require disclosure to tenants.