Institute for Market Transformation

Telephone: 202.328.5149

IMT is dedicated to the promotion of energy efficiency and environmental protection in the United States and abroad.

IMT works to strengthen the link between property value, green building and energy performance.   Check out our upcoming continuing-education seminars for real estate professionals offered by partners including the Appraisal Institute and New York University's (NYU) Real Estate Institute. 

Mid-Atlantic Energy Efficiency and Green Building News

IMT's Cliff Majersik will present at ULI Breakfast on the "Nexus of Politics and Green Building" June 3 in downtown DC.

IMT's Cliff Majersik will present at a free ENERGY STAR Networking Meeting May 22 for Energy Managers, Building Owners/Managers, Facilities Personnel, and ESCOs at Pepco's DC office (701 9th St. NW).

IMT is helping the DC government to green DC's building codes under contract to the District Dept. of the Environment.  Working with the Green Building Advisory Council (GBAC), the Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS), building designers, developers, engineers, tradespeople, the DC Building Industries Association (DCBIA), government officials, neighboring jurisdictions, and other stakeholders IMT prepared a package of green building code amendments based on best practices from around the country.  The package was unanimously endorsed by the GBAC and is included in a proposed rule published April 25, 2008 and expected to be submitted to the City Council this summer.
Links and files related to greening building codes

February 20, 2008: DC Mayor Fenty joins mayors from around the country in calling for a 30% improvement in building codes

IMT is also helping DC to commission economic research and modeling to project the number of new green-collar jobs that will be created in DC in coming years.  Details.

On January 10, 2008, IMT presented on greening building codes to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' (MWCOG) Intergovernmental Green Building Work Group (IGBG).  Favorably responding to an IMT proposal, the group issued a letter endorsing strengthening by 30% the national model energy code (the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code).
Meeting Highlights
Slideshow

On December 4, 2007, the Montgomery County Council unanimously approved a bill that will allow a property tax credit for LEED-certified buildings The bill’s primary sponsor was Councilmember Nancy Floreen, chair of the Council’s Transportation and Environment Committee. The bill was co-sponsored by Councilmembers Mike Knapp and George Leventhal.

On November 27, 2007, Montgomery County Councilman Roger Berliner introduced a package of seven pieces of climate and energy focused legislation. As introduced these bills attempt to address energy consumption, building efficiency, transportation, fuels, climate planning and awareness, renewable energy, and energy and environmental advocacy. Hearings are scheduled for January 17th.

On November 6, 2007, DC Councilmember Mary Cheh and eight other councilmembers introduced "The Clean and Affordable Energy Act of 2007."  The legislation will establish a sustainable energy utility that will be charged with reducing the city’s energy use, training District residents to perform green-collar jobs and helping low-income residents reduce their bills through energy efficiency. The proposed sustainable utility is based on successful models already in place in Vermont and Oregon.   The bill also increases the RPS levels and mandates annual ENERGY STAR benchmarking and disclosure for DC government buildings and large private non-residential buildings.   The bill will help achieve CM Cheh's greenhouse gas reduction goals.  IMT provided technical assistance in designing the legislation. A hearing is scheduled for January 30.
Legislation
CM Cheh's Press Release

On October 12, 2007, more than 50 energy policy leaders from DC, Maryland and Virginia participated in a lively policy briefing on "Delaware's new Sustainable Energy Utility as a model for the Mid-Atlantic."
The briefing was sponsored by IMT, the Center for American Progress, the DC Dept. of the Environment, DC Councilmember Mary Cheh, Maryland Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), the DC Environmental Network, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and the Cool Capital Challenge.  It was hosted by the Center for American Progress in Downtown DC.
Details
Participant list
Delaware SEU Task force Home Page
Delaware SEU Slide Show
IMT Slide Show
Delaware SEU Briefing Paper
Delaware SEU Shared Savings and Other Examples

Also on October 12, 2007 the DC Public Service Commission issued an order stating its intent to create a “Sustainable Energy Program” with a competitive solicitation for the administrator of efficiency and renewables programs for the District, similar to Efficiency Vermont (per footnote # 60). The design of the SEP and the competitive solicitation are TBD and would be subject to provisions of possible DC Council energy legislation that is now being developed by Councilmember Cheh.

On October 19, 2007, DC Mayor Adrian Fenty signed the Energy Efficiency Standards Act of 2007 (B17-211), which was introduced by Councilmember Mary Cheh and unanimously adopted the the DC City Council -- press release on bill and green agenda. As a result, future energy savings with a net present value of over $50 million will accrue to residential and commercial consumers in the District.  DC's standards are largely identical to Maryland's new standards.   IMT assisted in drafting the Act.

On September 20, 2007, more than 60 property managers and engineers of large commercial buildings participated in a Cool Energy Training to learn best O&M practices to save energy -- description, slideshows and video.  The training was led and sponsored by IMT, the Cool Capital Challenge, the Downtown DC Business Improvement District and ENERGY STAR.  It was hosted by Akridge and IBEW.

Governors Kaine and O’Malley release energy and climate change initiatives in Maryland and Virginia and push for national action.  (Background on Maryland climate policy)

Green Building Act regulations:  DC Mayor's September 21, 2007 order dividing GBA responsibilities and pending Montgomery County implementing regulations. IMT helped craft the Washington DC Green Building Act enacted on December 28, 2006.  IMT is quoted in two national stories on the Act: National Public Radio's All Things Considered and Washington Post front-page article

IMT, the Center for American Progress and DC City Councilmember Mary Cheh convened June 20, 2007 and March 21, 2007, meetings of Washington-area energy efficiency policymakers, experts and advocates to discuss opportunities for inter- jurisdictional cooperation in the Mid-Atlantic region:  IMT's main presentation and Efficiency Vermont presentation.

IMT helped write Washington DC Mayor-elect Fenty Energy Transition team's policy recommendations and calculate energy use by DC government buildings and the resulting CO₂ emissions.  (The DC government spent $70 million on energy for its buildings in FY2006.)  IMT analysis of DC's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and US Energy Information Agency data indicates that 75% of DC's emissions are attributable to the building sector.

IMT is a leading partner of the Cool Capital Challenge, a public-private partnership to unite the Washington region in fighting climate change.

National and International News

January 31, 2008: Article "Moscow's New Skyline: Grandiose and Green"

December 2007: IMT team presents "Increasing Thermal Performance and Energy Efficiency of Buildings in Russia: Problems and Solutions" at ASHRAE/ORNL Buildings X conference. Paper and presentation.

December 19, 2007: President Bush signs H.R. 6, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The Act mandates increased energy efficiency from cars, trucks, lighting, washing machines and refridgerators.  Due to a last-minute amendment, the Act does not extend many important efficiency tax incentives, including the commercial building tax deduction, which will still expire at the end of 2008.  But, the groundwork has been laid in both the House and Senate and odds of extension through 2013 are good.

Saving Energy, Growing Jobs: How Environmental Protection Promotes Economic Growth, Competition, Profitability and Innovation by David Goldstein, who chairs IMT's board of directors is now available from bookstores around the country.

IMT is supporting energy-saving building code implementation in the Russian Federation, the  Republic of Kazakhstan and Ukraine.  In January 2007 Ukraine followed the other two nations in adopting a new energy-saving code with IMT's help.  Results to date.

China: IMT collaborates with NRDC on International Demand Side Management (DSM) Forum held in Beijing in July 2007. This was the most important event in China's DSM history, in terms of both the level and extent of participation, according to the Vice Minister of China's National Development and Reform Commissions.  Our project team is now organizing a US Study tour on the same topic for 17 high-level Chinese decision makers.

On October 12, 2007 in California, the Governor signed legislation (AB 1103) requiring that as of January 1, 2009, all utilities must have twelve months of energy data ready to upload to Portfolio Manager for any customer who requests the rating. As of January 1, 2010, it will be required that commercial building owners or operators disclose the benchmarking data and ENERGY STAR rating to a prospective buyer, lessee, or lender. DC Councilmember Cheh has since included similar requirements in her comprehensive energy bill.

US Senators and members of Congress proposed major improvements in building energy codes within the existing system by setting national performance targets that rise gradually over time.

Mayor Bloomberg announces a bold new green vision for New York City including a broad range of energy efficiency initiatives.

PriceWaterhouseCoopers Real Estate Investment Survey feature article on Green Building Finance Trends.

IMT was the lead expert contributor to the  energy-efficient lease section of the California Energy Commission paper on, "Options for Energy Efficiency in Existing Buildings." The paper ranks proposed measures for cost effectiveness.

Direct Links / Highlights