International. Los Angeles City Council has approved a measure aimed at reducing the energy and water expenditure of older and larger buildings, which are responsible for a large portion of the city's energy consumption.
According to an analysis by the Center for Sustainable California Communities at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the nonprofit City Energy, half of the city's electricity demand comes from just 4% of its buildings.
That's why the motion, written by Councilmembers Bob Blumenfield and Jose Huizar, seeks to reduce consumption by these core users to advance Los Angeles' conservation and sustainability goals. José Huizar's Planning and Land Use Committee had already approved the measure last week.
Councilman Paul Koretz seconded the motion, stating that the program "will motivate a constant improvement in our housing stock, making sure they are well maintained and updated, which is good for the owners of the buildings, their inhabitants and our general infrastructure."
The Existing Building Energy and Water Efficiency Ordinance will require buildings of 20,000 square feet or more to report their consumption of these resources to the Department of Construction and Safety each year.
In addition, both these buildings and those of 15,000 square feet or more will have to take action to reduce their water and energy consumption every five years.
The motion could also include financial aid, incentive programs, regular benchmarking and tracking the performance of participating buildings.
The ordinance has received support from local business and environmental associations such as the Los Angeles Business Council, the National Resources Defense Council, the Angelina division of the U.S. Green Building Council and the Building Owners and Managers Association.
