President Barack Obama recently pushed for increased energy
efficiency in his State of the Union address. His endorsement is
a plus, no argument. But it may not be the federal government
that drives the industry’s next growth spurt. Increasingly, the
push for clean energy seems to be more grassroots, from the city
and community. Consider these significant green energy trends
and events. - Cities increasingly require that building owners
evaluate and report on how well their commercial properties use
energy. Officials say the results will help government create
better policy. The information also is valuable in real estate
transactions. Buyers get a better sense of a building’s true
value. And owners of green buildings may use the information as
a marketing tool when renting or selling the property.
Minneapolis is the latest city to enact a reporting and
disclosure rule. Public buildings must comply this year and the
largest private buildings in 2014. Other cities with similar
requirements are Boulder, Seattle