[USA] Report: U.S. local governments signed 335 renewable energy deals since 2015

According to data released on June 17, 2020 from the Local Government Renewables Action Tracker, local governments have signed 335 deals to procure 8.28 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy in the last five years.[1] [2] That figure is more than the total combined energy generation capacity of Alaska, Hawaii, Rhode Island, and Vermont. A few of the largest deals from the last five years include a 50 MW solar deal by Sanford, Maine, and a 100 MW deal by Cincinnati, Ohio. The Local Government Renewables Action Tracker was created by the American Cities Climate Challenge Renewables Accelerator, an initiative that supports Bloomberg Philanthropy’s cities renewable program, to show and support the growing shift by local governments toward clean energy. The tracker has two primary components: a transaction map that shows all renewable energy transaction implemented by local governments from January 1, 2015 to March 31, 2020; and an engagement map that details the efforts those governments have made to advance their renewable goals.

[1] https://www.wri.org/news/2020/06/release-us-local-governments-lead-way-clean-energy-transition

[2] https://cityrenewables.org/local-government-renewables-action-tracker/

[USA] St. Louis becomes first Midwest city to pass a Building Energy Performance Standard

On May 7, 2020, St. Louis, Missouri Mayor Lyda Krewson signed into law a Building Energy Performance Standard (BEPS) plan that requires buildings in the city to meet energy efficiency standards and establishes resources to help building owners achieve the savings associated with energy efficiency.[1] [2] St. Louis is the first Midwest city and one of only four jurisdictions (includes: Washington State, Washington, D.C., and New York City) in the U.S. to pass a BEPS. The BEPS plan will help the city achieve its goal of eliminating community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The BEPS plan only applies to buildings that are 50,000 square feet or larger and were already required to report their energy and water use under current city law.[3] Under BEPS, these buildings will be required to meet several levels of energy performance. The BEPS plan also requires several energy-saving actions, including upgrading HVAC units, ventilation, lighting and elevators. In addition, the new law sets up a Building Energy Improvement Board to help ensure buildings are complying with new standards and consider owners’ alternative plans when compliance is not possible. The board will be made up of nine members from utilities, labor, affordable housing owners and tenants, and commercial buildings.

[1] https://www.nrdc.org/media/2020/200506

[2] https://www.nrdc.org/experts/nrdc/st-louis-becomes-third-us-city-adopt-bold-standards-slash-energy-waste-buildings

[3] https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/internal-apps/legislative/upload/as-amended/BB219AACombined.pdf

[USA] Chicago requires new residential, commercial construction include EV charging capabilities

On April 24, 2020, the Chicago City Council approved an ordinance that requires new construction of residential and commercial buildings to guarantee at least 20% of parking spaces are ready for electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment to be installed.[1] . The ordinance also requires at least one of the EV-ready spaces be disability accessible and new buildings must have charging infrastructure in place or actual charging stations installed during construction. The new rules only apply to residential buildings with five or more units and commercial buildings with 30 or more parking spaces.

Chicago is committed to reaching 100% renewable energy for all its municipal buildings by 2025 and all city buildings by 2035. In addition, the Chicago Transit Authority plans to electrify its fleet of over 1,850 buses by 2040. According to Chicago officials, the new ordinance is in response to growing EV adoption across the United States; by 2040 more than half of all new car sales will be electric. Consumer advocates like Citizens Utility Board (CUB) say the new ordinance makes Chicago a national leader in its efforts to increase adoption of EVs, and called for similar policies to be adopted more widely.[2]

[1]https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cdot/provdrs/conservation_outreachgreenprograms/news/2020/april/chicago-city-council--approves-ordinance-to-increase-chicago-s-e.html

[2] https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-electric-vehicle-ordinance-makes-chicago-national-leader-301047088.html