Grounded Podcast Episode 48: Existing Commercial Buildings Account for Nearly 20% of Oregon's Energy Use
With ODOE's newly launched Building Performance Standard Program, the state is putting renewed focus on energy efficiency for existing commercial buildings. Oregon is the fourth state to enact a policy focusing on existing buildings, not just implementing standards for new construction. The program was a contributing factor to Oregon's top 10 American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy ranking earlier this year.
Starting in 2028, the program implements energy efficiency compliance deadlines for Oregon's existing commercial buildings. There are two groups of buildings covered under the Building Performance Standards, known as Tier 1 and Tier 2, and each has different requirements and deadlines.
In this episode, we're joined by Madeline O'Dwyer, a policy analyst on ODOE's Building Performance Standard team, who shares more about the program, the benefits, and what building owners should know. For the second half of the episode, we're joined by Amanda Welch, ODOE policy analyst, to discuss what Oregon is doing to incorporate the new program into Oregon's energy efficiency of its state-owned buildings.
