New Energy Rating System for Chicago Buildings

Chicago has launched a new Energy Rating System for the city’s larger buildings. "The buildings will be provided with placards illustrating their energy performance on a zero to four-star scale, which they are required to display on-site and report at the time of building sale or lease," reports Katie Pyzyk.

The program is a way to encourage building owners to explore strategies to boost the energy efficiency of buildings and to make information publicly available. "Large buildings are one of the most significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Chicago estimates buildings account for about 72% of the city's greenhouse gas emissions," notes Pyzyk.

Chicago’s Energy Rating System is part of a larger commitment to shift the city to renewable energy by 2035. Other plans include transitioning the Chicago Transit Authority’s bus fleet to electrification and decreasing the city’s overall emissions in accordance with goals outlined in the Paris Agreement.