Six States to team up on building efficiency

Six US States have been selected to participate in a policy initiative to improve the efficiency of State buildings.

Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Utah and Wisconsin are taking part in a Policy Academy regarding State Building efficiency retrofit programs.

Funded by the US Department of Energy, the policy academy is being organised by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices.

It will help the States develop policies to foster new funding mechanisms, benchmarking tools, education programs and training schemes for larger-scale building lower-carbon retrofit programs.

“Colorado’s New Energy Economy is leading the nation to a new energy future, and energy efficiency is a key part of our strategy,” said Colorado State Governor Bill Ritter.

“Energy efficiency creates jobs, saves money and reduces the harmful emissions that contribute to climate change. By taking part in this policy academy, we can share best practices, learn from other states and continue to lead America toward a cleaner and more efficient future.”

Jobs

As well as cutting greenhouse gases, the resulting retrofit programs should create jobs and new business opportunities.

The programs could include the use of air sealing and insulation, replacement or upgrading of heating and hot water systems, lighting upgrades, window replacement and appliance replacement.

It could also take in solar thermal hot water installations and new energy management systems.

The participating states will receive guidance and technical assistance from NGA Center staff and faculty experts and consultants from the private sector, research organizations, academia and the federal government.

“Most energy efficiency efforts have focused on new construction or the low-income sector only, often ignoring the substantial energy savings available by retrofitting existing buildings,” said John Thomasian, director of the NGA Center.

“This Policy Academy will help states realize energy savings across the board, through comprehensive building retrofits programs.”