Latest from Building Automation

Modular Building Institute
(Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Buildings across the US may soon be far more energy efficient.
Buildings across the US may soon be far more energy efficient.
Buildings across the US may soon be far more energy efficient.
Buildings across the US may soon be far more energy efficient.
Buildings across the US may soon be far more energy efficient.

GSA Looking for ‘Net-Zero’ Building Revolution By 2030

Feb. 10, 2015
A recent story by Matt Jungclaus on Clean Technica said the U.S. General Services Administration made a recent recommendation that could spawn a “net-zero” building revolution by 2030.

Working in building management, you’ve likely seen a lot of contemporaries (and perhaps even yourself) make stated moves toward going green. A recent story by Matt Jungclaus on Clean Technica said the U.S. General Services Administration made a recent recommendation that could spawn a “net-zero” building revolution by 2030.

In 2014, a GSA task group recommended at least 50 percent of the GSA’s and federal government could reach net-zero status by 2030, meaning the building produces as much energy as it consumes each year.

The GSA is the largest landlord in the United States, controlling more than two percent of commercial real estate in the nation, so the potential impact is monumental. Adoption and implementation of this recommendation could save 8 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions and encourage the generation of over 500 MWh of renewable energy for the GSA by 2030—with over 10 times the impact possible if applied to the entire federal government.

To achieve this recommendation, the GSA would need to begin planning immediately. While the GSA’s Green Building Advisory Committee (GBAC) approved the recommendation unanimously, the GSA and other agencies have not yet approved it as formal agency policy. If accepted as official GSA/agency policy, this recommendation would signify an historic moment for energy policy with revolutionary impact.

Read more about the move toward net-zero buildings on Clean Technica, and as always, stay tuned to HPAC Engineering for more news on green buildings.