Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance Passes City Council

Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance Approved by City Council

The Cambridge City Council approved the Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance by a vote of 9 to 0 at its meeting on July 28. The ordinance grew out of a recommendation of the Climate Protection Action Committee, a City advisory group, to address the lack of information about building energy performance, which makes it difficult for players in the real estate market to properly value energy efficient buildings and hinders effective community energy planning. Cambridge follows 10 other local governments, including Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Minneapolis that previously instituted similar ordinances.

By the end of the year, energy performance data will be reported for municipal buildings. Beginning on May 1, 2015, non-residential buildings over 50,000 square feet and residential buildings with 50 or more units will be required to report to the City their energy use for the previous year on an annual basis. On May 1, 2016, non-residential buildings over 25,000 square feet will have to start reporting annually. In the second year of reporting the City will post the energy use data on a public website along with background information. Studies have shown that energy use benchmarking leads to improved energy performance in buildings. Energy use by individuals will not be reported or disclosed.

For More Information

To learn more about the ordinance please see the Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance web page.

For more information on the Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance, please contact John Bolduc at jbolduc@cambridgema.gov, 617/349-4628.