City of Richmond - Building Energy Benchmarking in B.C.

Building Energy Benchmarking:

Opportunities in B.C.Brendan McEwenCity of Richmond

June 14, 2017

CITYHALL-#5419673-v2-Pembina_benchmarking_webinar_June_14

_-_BMc_CoR.PPT

Support for Benchmarking Policy at the City of Richmond

• Community Energy & Emissions Plan– Improve performance of new & existing buildings– Promote building efficiency through outreach & education

Richmond’s GHG emissions profile

March 2017 – Council Direction1. Resolutions to LMLGA and UBCM calling for the province to

establish benchmarking requirements

2. Letter to Metro Vancouver’s Climate Action Committee, asking MV to explore role in benchmarking policy

3. Develop options for City benchmarking pilot program

4. Lead on initiatives to enable benchmarking

1. Legal analysis & model bylaw

2. Aggregated data exchange for multifamily buildings

3. Developing Communications Tools

Generously supported by

UBCM ResolutionPROVINCIAL ACTION ON BUILDING ENERGY BENCHMARKING

“…. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the province be requested to develop a requirement that buildings above a size threshold benchmark their energy performance and report this information to the province annually, and that the resulting data be available to local governments to inform their climate policy and programs.“

“Federal, provincial, and territorial governments will work together with the aim of requiring labelling of building energy use by as early as 2019. Labelling will provide consumers and businesses with transparent information on energy performance.”

“BC, CA, OR & WA will collaborate with West Coast cities, to further expand large building energy benchmarking and disclosure throughout the region and leverage data to drive reductions in energy use. Through these efforts, PCC jurisdictions… seek to achieve a goal of 75% of eligible large building square footage on the Pacific Coast reporting energy data through state, provincial, and/or city programs in a way that is accessible and retrievable.”

Provincial Commitments Supporting Benchmarking

Why a Provincial Requirement?• Most buildings covered & greatest impact• Most administratively simple• Support from members of real estate industry• Supports existing provincial commitments

Local govt. staff – please brief your Councils on UBCM resolution!

Richmond Developing Pilot Program Options for Local Govt. Benchmarking Requirements

• “Hedge” if province is not quick to act

• Legal analysis suggests LGs have authority

• Developing model bylaw provisions

“Aggregated Data Exchange” for Multifamily Buildings’ Electricity• Automatic aggregation

& upload of residential energy data into ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager

• Ensures anonymity for individual residences

• Partnership with BC Hydro

Developing Communications Tools• Building owners report• Public data disclosure

Example: Feedback to building owners

Transparency Example – Philadelphia Energy Map

CITYHALL-#5419673-v2-Pembina_benchmarking_webinar_June_14

_-_BMc_CoR.PPT

Thank You!Questions?

Brendan McEwenSustainability Manager

bmcewen@richmond.ca