Dept. of Energy Offers New Building Initiative 

In an effort to avoid partisan politics in Congress, the White House is now moving significant energy policy reforms, including controversial building labeling provisions, through executive action. On Aug. 8, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced a new program, the National Asset Rating Program for Commercial Buildings (AR Program), to rate new and existing buildings on their expected energy performance. While voluntary energy efficiency and benchmarking programs like EPA’s Energy Star are generally designed as energy management tools, the AR Program is specifically designed to impact valuation and transactional decisions.

As Units went to press, DOE was planning to unveil a pilot project on Sept. 30. NAA/NMHC joined with other national real estate trade associations in objecting to the Department’s pro forma request for information from the affected parties. We will continue to educate the Administration about the unique characteristics of the apartment sector and the need for carefully tailored industry metrics.

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