BOMA energy challenge gains new momentum

Real Estate Weekly, March 5, 2008

The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International's 7-Point Challenge, an innovative energy reduction plan to achieve market transformation in the commercial real estate industry, is gaining momentum as the leading companies and BOMA local associations around the country sign on to endorse the challenge.

BOMA International introduced its Market Transformation Energy Plan, which includes the 7-Point Challenge, to its members in July 2007 as an aggressive but realistic strategy to reduce the use of natural resources, non-renewable energy sources and waste production in commercial buildings. The goals of the plan include decreasing energy consumption by 30 percent across portfolios by 2012; benchmarking energy performance and water usage through the Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR@ benchmarking tool; and providing education to building owners and operators and others involved in building operations, to ensure that equipment is properly operated and maintained.

Through the 7-Point Challenge, BOMA is working with real estate professionals, government officials at all levels, as well as a myriad of public and private groups to achieve market transformation. Real estate companies and organizations are using the 7-Point Challenge as both a call to action and a template for developing sustainability programs and improving energy performance.

Companies endorsing the challenge include Carr Services, CB Richard Ellis, Colonial Properties Trust, Cousins Properties, Cushman & Wakefield, Glenborough, Hines, LBA Realty, Opus, Parmenter Realty Group, PM Realty Group, Stream Realty Partners, Transwestern and USAA Real Estate Company.

BOMA local associations endorsing the challenge include Austin, Boston, Greater Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Denver Metro, Metropolitan Detroit, Houston, Miami-Dade, New Mexico, New York, Oakland-East Bay, Orange County, Orlando and Philadelphia.

The EPA's ENERGY STAR program has also given the challenge its endorsement.