ATL_Bldg_Efficiency_OrdinanceWhat is it?

On April 20, 2015 Atlanta City Council passed an ordinance (14-O-1617) that will require commercial buildings over 25,000 square feet to undertake the following energy efficiency initiatives:

Benchmarking Energy and Water Use

  • By July 20th, 2015, buildings over 50,000 square feet must benchmark their energy and water use for 2014 and submit a report to the city of Atlanta. This can be done using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager®. Beginning in 2016, this will need to be completed annually by June 1st. *Buildings over 25,000 square feet will need to submit their first report in 2017.

Benchmarking Disclosure

  • The city of Atlanta will make only non-financial benchmarking data publicly available beginning September 1st, 2016. Buildings performing below the national median (ENERGY STAR score < 50) will not have their score published. In this case, the building will show that it is compliant but scoring less than the national median.

Energy and Water Audit

  • Every 10 years, qualifying buildings must undergo an energy and water audit. The year that this audit must take place will be determined by a randomly generated property ID number, which can be obtained by calling 311 or at the following web address: http://ditweb.atlantaga.gov/br/ The ending number of this Atlanta Building ID will determine the year that the audit is due. For example: if the six digit number ends in a 9, the next energy audit will be due in 2019, 2029, etc.
  • The audit must meet an ASHRAE Level II standard.
  • Audits can be performed by an RA, PE, BEAP, or CEM on staff with at least two years of audit experience and/or experience in the operation of that specific building or by a third party.
  • Retro-commissioning is encouraged but not required.
  • Exceptions are grated if:
  • The property received an ENERGY STAR certification for two of the three years preceding the year the audit is due.
  • The property has been LEED certified for two of the three years preceding year the audit is due.
  • The property has improved its ENERGY STAR score by 15 points or more in the five years preceding the audit report due date.
  • If a property has undergone a qualifying audit since 2010, this may satisfy the first required audit.

 

What is the purpose of the Atlanta Building Efficiency Ordinance?

It is the goal of the city of Atlanta to remain a leading city in building energy efficiency. Another main goal is to reduce Atlanta buildings’ collective energy consumption 20% by the year 2020.

 

What do I have to do in order to satisfy these requirements?

Do not worry, this ordinance is a good thing for the city of Altanta, and meeting the requirements is not that difficult.  We have included tutorial videos below to walk you through the process. You will need to:

 

Who can help?

There are many great resources that can help you meet these requirements. They include:

  • Sustainable Investment Group (SIG) – SIG is the sponsor of this website and is headquartered in Atlanta. SIG offers LEED training, LEED consulting, LEED gap analysis and cost summaries, and other technical services including: ASHRAE Level II energy audits, ENERGY STAR Portfolio Benchmarking and Verification (for buildings earning an ENERGY STAR score of 75 or higher, SIG can have a PE verify and sign off on your building data so that you can earn an ENERGY STAR certification), energy modeling, Commissioning, and Retro-commissioning. Please contact Michael Cichetti by email or phone at: michaelc@sigearth.com or (404) 983-0255

 

  • BOMA Georgia – BOMA Georgia has partnered with the city of Atlanta to make sure the implementation of this process is as seamless and easy as possible. Please visit bomageorgia.org or contact Brandy Mitcham by email or phone at: bmitcham@bomageorgia.org (404) 475-9980 ext. 9

 

  • You may email or call Matt Cox directly at the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability: wmcox@atlantaga.gov or (404) 335-1959 with any questions or to request additional time to comply with this ordinance.

 

  • For a step-by-step video on how to set up ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager® please watch this video:

  • For a step-by-step video on how to submit your building data to the city of Atlanta please watch this video:

For any further assistance meeting the requirements of this ordinance or with any other green building needs, please contact: Michael Cichetti – michaelc@sigearth.com (404) 983-0255  www.sigearth.com