Energy Sustainability
BOMA/Chicago Steps Up to Challenges of NextGrid Illinois
BOMA/Chicago Steps Up to Challenges of NextGrid Illinois July 25, 2018 NextGrid grew out of the December 2016 enactment of the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA – otherwise known as the Exelon bailout), which redefines major aspects of Illinois energy markets. It is an 18-month, collaborative study initiated by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC)…
Read MoreGas and Electric Energy Efficiency Incentive Program Updates
Gas and Electric Energy Efficiency Incentive Program Updates July 17, 2018 The BOMA/Chicago Energy and Sustainability Committee held an open meeting on July 11 for all BOMA/Chicago members. The meeting focused on assessments, discounts, incentives and optimization opportunities that are available for commercial real estate operators through Peoples Gas and ComEd. ComEd Energy Efficiency…
Read MoreFive Takeaways About Fitwel Certification
Five Takeaways About Fitwel Certification By Erin Vicelja and Allie Goldstein, Goby You have an existing building. You’ve recently taken steps to improve the overall environment for its occupants. You’ve made your office building community better. Now what? That’s where Fitwel certification comes in. Developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and…
Read MoreComEd Smart Ideas Representatives update BOMA/Chicago Energy Committee about Waitlist
ComEd Smart Ideas Representatives update BOMA/Chicago Energy Committee about Waitlist January 10, 2018 BOMA/Chicago’s Energy Committee met with representatives from ComEd to clarify questions about the Smart Ideas waitlist. In July, ComEdannounced that all projects applying for Smart Ideas® Standard or Custom incentives will be placed on a waitlist, due to the high volume…
Read MoreCity Council Passes Benchmarking Amendments
City Council Passes Benchmarking Amendments December 13, 2017 The City Council voted 48-2 in favor of amendments to the Chicago Benchmarking Ordinance that will create a zero-to-four-star rating system for benchmarked buildings. The amendment will also require conspicuous posting of the rating. BOMA/Chicago opposed the creation of a rating system arguing that the US…
Read MoreNextGrid Takes Center Stage
NextGrid Takes Center Stage October 9, 2017 The passage of last year’s Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) led to the creation of NextGrid, an 18-month, collaborative study initiated by the Illinois Commerce Commission to help define the “utility of the future” in Illinois in response to technological, market, and regulatory changes. Utilities, regulators, environmental…
Read MoreRecent Exelon/ComEd Legislation Subject of Two Court Challenges
Recent Exelon/ComEd Legislation Subject of Two Court Challenges June 1, 2017 Two lawsuits have been filed as a result of state legislation passed in December of 2016. Illinois Public Act 099-0906, became law with the passage of Senate Bill 2814 after intense lobbying by Exelon and ComEd as a means to bailout two underperforming…
Read MoreOffice Buildings Lead In Reducing City’s Energy Usage According to Benchmarking Report
Office Buildings Lead In Reducing City’s Energy Usage According to Benchmarking Report May 8, 2017 With three years of reporting energy benchmarking now in the books, commercial office buildings in the City of Chicago continue to be leading performers in reducing carbon emissions. The median Energy Star score for office buildings rose from 74…
Read MoreBOMA Fights to Save EPA’s ENERGY STAR Program
BOMA Fights to Save EPA’s ENERGY STAR Program April 4, 2017 The Fiscal Year 2018 budget recently proposed by President Trump includes dramatic cuts for the Environmental Protection Agency. Most notable for the real estate industry is the demise of the ENERGY STAR program. The elimination of ENERGY STAR, which includes the popular Portfolio…
Read MoreExelon/ComEd Rate Increase Legislation Signed by Governor Rauner
Exelon/ComEd Rate Increase Legislation Signed by Governor Rauner February 7, 2017 It took last minute negotiations and ten amendments, including one to reduce the number of votes needed for passage, but ComEd and Exelon were successful in their effort to have Illinois ratepayers bailout two underperforming nuclear plants and change the way energy efficiency programs…
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