Energy benchmarks and 'tune-ups' to be required for large commercial buildings in Madison
MADISON, Wis. -- Some non-residential buildings in Madison will now be required to meet new energy benchmarks and go through "tune-ups" under an energy savings program unanimously passed by the city's common council Tuesday night.
The Building Energy Savings Program will require people who own large commercial buildings to check and adjust things like lighting and HVAC systems and heating and cooling schedules to make sure they're not wasting energy. The ordinance requires owners of buildings 25,000 square feet or larger to benchmark their energy use every year, while owners of buildings 50,000 square feet or larger would be required to perform building tune-ups every four years.
In a release announcing the passage of the program, the city said it does not require the installation of new systems or the replacement of any equipment that is functioning.
The program is part of the city's goal to reach a net-zero level of carbon emissions by the year 2050, with Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway's office claiming the new energy savings program could cut carbon emissions by 91,000 tons per year -- the equivalent of if 18,000 fewer cars were on the road.
According to the mayor's office, commercial buildings are currently responsible for about 30% of the city's overall carbon emissions.
"By enacting the Building Energy Savings Program, we are working with covered building owners take common-sense actions to save energy. This is good for the climate, it saves businesses money on their bills, and supports green jobs," Mayor Rhodes-Conway said in a statement released Wednesday morning.
The city says the plan is the culmination of two years of work between city staff, alders, members of the business community, building energy and management experts, and many others.
Now that the program has passed the council, the city says its staff will continue to work with members of the community to further develop guidance for the program and provide education and training to local commercial building owners and managers.
According to the city, benchmark and tune-up deadlines will be gradually phased in over time. The first benchmarking deadline is currently set for June 2024, while the first tune-up deadline is in October 2025. The ordinance will go into effect on January 1, 2024.