Tools and Resources

This PDF contains the entire 310-page Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA). EISA lays the groundwork for federal agencies to increase the efficiency of products and buildings, promote research on and deploy greenhouse gas capture and storage options, and improve the energy performance of the federal government. Read this act to understand the federal government's initiative to prevent greenhouse gas emissions and protect our climate, part of which includes the use of ENERGY STAR benchmarking tools and resources.

Read this report from New York City to learn about its benchmarking ordinance, which requires all large buildings in the city to measure and disclose energy consumption annually. This report is the first analysis of New York City benchmarking data and provides comprehensive recommendations to improve the quality of energy benchmarking and the ease of compliance for building owners.

According to this landmark study by McKinsey & Company, energy efficiency is a huge untapped energy resource in the United States. How big? They estimate the country could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 23 percent through cost-effective investments in energy efficiency. This is like taking the entire U.S. fleet of passenger vehicles and light trucks off the roads. The study also highlights the important role benchmarking plays in unlocking the barriers to efficiency.

This white paper from the Green Building Finance Consortium examines the untapped energy efficiency potential held by commercial buildings in the state of California. It analyzes obstacles to achieving widespread adoption of building efficiencies and explores approaches to removing these barriers.