Seattle and Portland Resources for Commercial Building Owners

The City of Portland and Multnomah County teamed up in 2009 to create a Climate Action Plan. Part of their effort resulted in a booklet entitled "Creating a High Performance Workspace"which can be used as a reference guide for businesses in any community.

They make the case that an energy efficiency strategy should include a healthier environment for the workers. "People are the largest operating expense per square foot, adding up to more than three-fourths of total business costs.
A 1% improvement in worker productivity may be worth more than 50% in energy savings."

The guide includes action strategies for Tenant Improvements to internal space, finishes and furnishings, mechanical and electrical, lighting, construction and occupancy.

Specific suggestions include:

• Limiting permanent walls for a buildings interior can help allow for adapting to changes in working relationships, new teams and tasks.
• Cleaners - Using non-toxic cleaning products helps to maintain indoor air quality
• Finishes and furnishings - Choose low emission and environmentally preferable products. Select carpet and cushions that do not off-gas harmful chemicals. "Tell your designer to select products with the Carpet and Rug Institute Indoor Air Quality Label."
• Mechanical systems – address energy efficiency, thermal comfort, noise, and in door air quality
• Lighting systems – use good design to provide visual comfort and energy savings

In Seattle the Department of Planning and Development announced "Building Energy Efficiency Program Launched by City."

According to Department of Planning and Development Director Diane Sugimura the new program "will help building owners take a key step toward increasing building energy efficiency, which, in turn, helps lower operating costs, makes buildings more competitive and creates good local jobs."

Under this new program all buildings in the City of Seattle that meet specified size and use thresholds must meet certain energy benchmarking, disclosure and reporting requirements.View the RCW

Commercial building owners have until October 3, 2011 for buildings 50,000 square feet or larger to comply with the energy disclosure ordinance. See "Building Energy Benchmarking and Reporting."

The program makes available information on how to conduct annual energy performance tracking through the US EPA's Energy Star Portfolio Manager, "a free and secure online benchmarking tool."

Benchmarking a buildings energy performance allows a building owner to measure energy consumption over time. Prior to adopting new energy conservation practices a baseline of energy usage needs to be established. As energy conservation practices are then adopted the building owner will be able to document the effectiveness and cost savings of the new practices.

A data collection worksheet is available for download on the Energy Star Benchmarking Starter Kit page.

Once the initial data is collected it only takes a few minutes each month to log in the electrical use for that month.

The amount of information covered in the Department of Planning and Development and Energy Star can be overwhelming. The Department of Planning and Development offsets this with a reference guide, animated training on how to use the Portfolio Manager, webinars and on their Technical Assistance Page a promise of a soon to be added Hotline.