Understanding Energy Labeling and Policy Internationally

Building labeling has been a passion for the past 9 years. In my view, labeling of buildings of all types allows regional societies to be more economically powerful. Two key outcomes result from labeling; 1) labeling is the market mechanism to drive valuation of building efficiency delivers lower cost of living to workforce; 2) the efficiencies of regional energy markets are shared reducing the cost of energy for production of goods and services driving economic prosperity and competitive advantage.

As the cost of hydrocarbon energy sources rises the value of efficiency increases. The cost of making buildings efficient will rise with increase in hydrocarbon energy costs. Greater efficiency relates to lasting economic competitiveness measured in liveability and cost of goods produced. Regions seeking future competitiveness and economic stability should serve self interest and implement aggressive building labelling strategies built on these and other international learnings.

Multi Family Energy Rating In Chicago

European Building Labelling Study

Urban Green NY Energy & Water Use Benchmarking

Internation Energy Rating Policy Pathway

Alex Steffen Provides a Compelling View of Urban Development @TED

Alex clearly reflects a progressive perspective of the future of cities and the opportunities for humanity to do better. This is a stark contrast to the dream revealled in the latest Toronto Life issue "Escape to the Burbs" and in the current perspectives of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and his 'visionary' brother who chase shortseighted waterfront revitalization strategies intensive on energy, water and tax dollars rather than those gearred to enriching the quality of life of Toronto residents and visitors near and long term.

Transcripts: Standing Committee on General Government - April 20, 2009

As an instructor of realtors across Ontario, I can say with absolute confidence that Ontarians who are doing the right thing for themselves and the environment have not seen the real estate industry being effective at putting a value on home energy efficiency. In the last year I have spoken to roughly 3,000 realtors in training contexts. Every time I teach a course, I ask people to put their hands up: “Who has sold a house with a geothermal heating system?” I ask those same folks to tell me, “Who has received a premium from the marketplace?” I then ask what was the reason that they did not, because the consistent answer was they did not. The reason that they did not was because the buyer market does not understand energy performance.

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Tom Heintzman BullFrog Power - 5 years of Market Transformation

Chris Chopik speaks with Tom about business putting green power in the hands of consumers.

A simple proposition for Canadians to choose www.BullFrogPower.com.

Tom also discusses his passion for the sustainable busienss sector.

PS - I shot this with my Iphone 4 holding the camera in my hand!

Miller Discusses Green Roof By Law

Toronto's Green Roof bylaw create opportunities in Green Real Estate.

Toronto Mayor David Miller discusses the origins of his environmental passion and his sense of social justice. Chris Chopik interviews Mayor Miller during the first Cities Alive, the World Green Roof Infrastructure Congress in Toronto.

Toronto's unique Green Roof bylaw will have a positive effect on the quality of life of Torontonians, relating to air quality, storm water management and urban heat island effect.

Property owners will benefit from a longer roof life expectancy compared with contemporary bitumen products, in addition to building performance gains. The integration of Ontario's Green Energy Act, with Solar PV and the already-proven Solar Thermal technologies make the industrial roof renovation one of the most interesting green building marketplaces in Toronto and other Ontario markets.