Building electrification is one of the most crucial strategies facility managers can employ to help reduce their building’s carbon footprint and fight climate change. Several cities and states have passed building electrification ordinances, requiring new and existing buildings to eliminate natural gas equipment from facilities.
Denver was one of the first cities to pass a citywide building electrification ordinance. But now after complaints from building owners – primarily hotels and multi-family building owners – who say electrification is not just cost prohibitive, but actually impossible, Denver has extended the deadline for compliance with its electrification ordinance from 2028 to 2032, according to the Denver Gazette. Some building owners are claiming this ordinance violates federal law by setting local standards on building products sold nationally.
The Energize Denver Building Performance Policy mandates all commercial buildings over 25,000 square feet move to electrification. It’s part of the city’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2040.
Greg Zimmerman is senior contributing editor for FacilitiesNet.com and Building Operating Management magazine.
