The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International has released a set of recommendations on the trending topic of building electrification, following the publication of a groundbreaking research study on the topic.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2023 The newest document, "Building Electrification: 10 Steps for a Balanced Approach," is a two-page brief offering a series of high-level policy recommendations that brings together the perspectives of commercial real estate, the federal government, state and local governments, and utilities, to chart a path forward.
The recommendations build on a first-of-its-kind research report, "Electrification in Commercial Buildings," which examines available technologies, the electrical grid, regional differences, and relevant public policy and programs. The 35-page study was performed in partnership with consulting firm Steven Winter Associates, Inc. "BOMA isn't taking sides on whether electrification is always the appropriate goal, but there may be locations where it makes sense and the commercial real estate sector is going to be an active participant in planning for a sustainable future," said Don Davis, BOMA Vice President for Advocacy and Building Codes. "We want to be realistic about the hurdles, figure out the business case, and chart a practical path forward on this highly complex issue."
The concept of encouraging or mandating building electrification has evolved rapidly from a niche concept to a mainstream sustainability goal discussed on national and global scales. At a time when many jurisdictions are setting carbon emissions goals and energy standards, some policymakers are turning to a vision of all-electric buildings as a solution. While it may be a worthy goal, significant unanswered questions persist, including the capacity of the electrical grid, the availability of clean energy sources, and the ability of existing buildings to retrofit.
BOMA International has been at the forefront of filling this void, with the two recent documents building on a previous BOMA Policy Brief released at the beginning of the year, "Building Electrification and Carbon Reduction," which provides an overview of the opportunities and challenges. All three documents on electrification can be found at https://www.boma.org/BOMA/Advocacy/Policy_Briefs.aspx.
About BOMA International
The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International, founded in 1907, is a federation of U.S. local associations and global affiliates. The leading trade association for commercial real estate professionals, it represents the owners, managers, service providers and other property professionals for all commercial building types, including office, industrial, medical, corporate and mixed-use. The mission is to advance a vibrant commercial real estate industry through advocacy, influence and knowledge. BOMA serves as a primary source of information on building management and operations, leasing, building operating costs, energy consumption patterns, local and national building codes, technological developments, and industry trends.
Media Contact
Ken Rosenfeld, BOMA International, 202-326-6364, [email protected], www.boma.org
Hakan Ozsancak, BOMA International, 202-326-6352, [email protected], www.boma.org
SOURCE BOMA International
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