Cincinnati, Ohio – In a groundbreaking environmental initiative, Ohio’s major cities are teaming up to implement a voluntary program aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from commercial buildings. Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Dayton are poised to leverage a $10 million grant from the Inflation Reduction Act to launch the Ohio High Performance Building Hub. This initiative seeks to equip building owners with the tools necessary for energy conservation and emission reduction through technical support, financing options, and incentive programs.
The collaboration represents a significant stride towards sustainability, addressing the substantial environmental impact of existing commercial buildings which, in these cities, contribute over 50% of the greenhouse gas emissions. The new hub will provide resources to over 421 million square feet of commercial building space across the four cities, helping them navigate the complexities of energy efficiency and sustainability.
City leaders and clean energy advocates view this program as a vital step in achieving their ambitious climate goals, especially as the state of Ohio has seen mandatory energy efficiency measures significantly weakened by legislative actions in recent years. By focusing on existing buildings, which are often overlooked in traditional building codes that favor new constructions, this initiative aims to make a broader impact.
Unlike typical building codes that mandate compliance, the standards developed through this initiative will be entirely voluntary, aiming to incentivize rather than penalize. The program will offer a “carrot” approach, encouraging building owners to meet performance standards through benefits like financial savings and potential for lower rental costs, thereby making their properties more attractive to prospective tenants who value sustainability.
Furthermore, the hub plans to assist in navigating funding options available through the Inflation Reduction Act and other sources like bonds from the Ohio Air Quality Development Agency or loans from green banks. These financial solutions are designed to make the adoption of energy-efficient practices more accessible and appealing to building owners.
The city of Columbus currently leads with a benchmarking policy that tracks energy usage and sets performance metrics for buildings. The program’s success in Columbus serves as a model, with plans underway to extend similar policies to Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Dayton. These measures will enable the cities to monitor progress towards reducing energy consumption, with a collective goal of cutting energy use by 45% by 2050.
This initiative also considers equity issues, prioritizing the development of standards that are beneficial and not burdensome, particularly for businesses in historically underinvested communities. Tailored metrics and measures aim to ensure that both tenants and owners reap the financial benefits of energy savings, addressing affordability concerns and fostering inclusivity.
As this collaborative effort progresses, extensive outreach and education are planned to prepare cities and building owners to adopt and implement the new standards effectively. This proactive approach, coupled with a focus on community involvement and financial incentives, underscores Ohio’s commitment to a more sustainable and economically vibrant future.