SUSTAINABILITY: Policy Roundup

The Institute for Market Transformation (IMT) has shared a report that municipalities can follow to establish energy disclosure policies. What does this mean? Basically, buildings in these jurisdictions must meet certain guidelines for energy efficiency and their performance data would be public information. It is an accountability measure for owners, architects/engineers and contractors and allows consumers to properly judge a buildings true value.

International Vs. Domestic Policy Timelines. Page 2 of IMT Report

In 1997, Denmark became the first country to require energy certification for buildings and in 2002 the EU adopted directives to require all member states to submit their plans for energy certifications. In late 2007, California became the first in the United States to require energy ratings and disclosure during sales, leases or financing. Thus far Washington, DC; Austin, TX; Portland, OR; New York, NY; Washington; Massachusetts; and San Francisco, CA all have policies regarding energy disclosure. We encourage you to check out the PDF report and learn more about how these policies will be a part of our future.

IMT also has a great summary sheet available for the SAVE Act, which is "legislation to improve the accuracy of mortgage underwriting used by federal mortgage agencies by ensuring that energy costs are included in the underwriting process."