Boston Mayor Thomas Memino recently filed the Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance with the Boston City Council. As a component of the city’s climate action plan to meet the mayor’s greenhouse gas reduction goals, the ordinance would require all large- and medium-sized buildings to report their annual energy and water use to the city. The proposed ordinance is intended to encourage building owners to participate in local utility energy-efficiency programs and educate tenants on building performance.
The proposed ordinance, which still needs city council approval, would require all large- and medium-sized buildings to report annual energy use, water use and greenhouse gas emissions tracked through Energy Star Portfolio Manager to the city’s environment department. The city would then make energy and water use per square foot, Energy Star ratings, greenhouse gas emissions, and other identifying and contextual information for individual buildings available online.