ederal agencies are required to lease space in buildings that have earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR

All Federal Agencies Now Required to Lease Space in ENERGY STAR Labeled Buildings Back To Buildings & Plants News Room  As of December 19, 2010, Federal agencies are now required to lease space in buildings that have earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR in the most recent year.  This provides an opportunity for owners and operators of ENERGY STAR labeled buildings to attract and retain Federal tenants, and allows Federal agencies to help move the market for energy efficient buildings.     Who is affected?     1. All Federal agencies entering into a new lease for more than 10,000 square feet.    2. Owners and managers of commercial real estate (lessors) with existing Federal leases for more than 10,000 square feet.    3. Owners and managers of commercial buildings (lessors) interested in attracting Federal tenants.  What are the rules?  According to Section 435 of the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) 2007:     1. Federal agencies are required to lease space in buildings that have earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR.    2. The rule applies to any new leases entered into on or after December 19, 2010.    3. The lessor’s building must have earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR on a date not more than 12 months prior to the lease award date.    4. In instances where a lessor’s building is not eligible to earn EPA’s ENERGY STAR, Federal lessees will require the lessor to implement certain cost-effective energy efficiency upgrades to the building.  Why is this important?      * The Federal Government occupies nearly 500,000 buildings across the nation. By raising the bar on the energy performance of those buildings, the Federal Government is leading the way towards a more sustainable, energy-secure future for America.     * To earn EPA’s ENERGY STAR, buildings must perform better than 75% of their peers. These top-performing buildings use, on average, 35% less energy than average buildings—saving money and preventing greenhouse gas emissions without sacrificing comfort or quality.     * ENERGY STAR labeled buildings are verified by independent licensed professionals, ensuring that Federal agencies are only leasing the most energy-efficient properties on the market.