Those of you familiar with Bible stories may remember the story of Jacob, who worked seven years so he could marry a girl. On the morning after his wedding, he realizes he has been tricked by the father who gave Jacob an older sister with "weak eyes". He got a bombshell alright, just the not-good-explosive kind. There was no way out, except through. He worked another seven years for the other sister, and "Weak Eyes" caused him nothing but problems.
The lesson of the story - make sure you peek under the veil. Or, as Ronald Regan said, "Trust but verify." I share this story for perspective on an energy-related bombshell that could make those of you who are energy-conscious take serious note.
One of the shining standards in Energy is LEED certification. A building's LEED status has been used to shoo many an energy salesperson away with a "We already have this under control" voice. The U.S. Green Building Council has done a remarkable job of positioning and spinning LEED status as the Gold Standard in energy.
A new study by the Environmental Policy Alliance just popped their balloon.
Large buildings that are LEED certified and privately owned in Washington, D.C. use more energy than uncertified buildings. Let that sink in for a moment. Why is this a big deal?
Big Deal #1: The average lay person may assume that energy equilibrium is a destination. And because LEED certification is associated with energy efficiency, one certification is obtained - the journey is complete and they patiently wait for a voice saying "You have arrived at your destination". Energy bliss, nirvana...call it what you will - it is a verb. It is a continual process of PLAN, DO, CHECK, ACT. You will never arrive at your destination if you are doing it correctly.
Big Deal #2: Misrepresentation damages the reputation of the industry. It causes market confusion and it emboldens those why try to dismantle the progress that has been made in being more sustainable in our approach to energy.
Big Deal #3: If LEED certification does not lead to increased energy efficiency, why would the government mandate participation in the program? One idea would be the $5.2M in fees that Washington, D.C. government has collected since mandating LEED participation in 2010. Again, it just gives more ammunition to those who already have an axe to grind.
Washington, D.C. is one of the few cities that requires LEED certification for new construction, and they've collected over $5.2M in fees since 2010. It bleeds developers and companies of money that could be used for real energy projects simply so they can hang a plaque on the door. Another finding that is more ironic than stunning. Washington, D.C. buildings are actually less energy efficient than the national average.
Including energy in your sustainability efforts is simply the right thing to do for companies today. It is a strategic play that has larger implications for the economy, improves our national security position, and helps alleviate challenges with an aging electrical grid (excess capacity, less congestion).
These are the types of problems that create uncertainty when it comes to creating energy policy. That uncertainty delays decisions, which slows the market down, which prevents economies of scale from being achieved, which causes the need for "O.P.P" (other people's property...in this case, money) in the form of rebates, mandates, taxes, etc. And while you may be "down with O.P.P.", long-term goals cant' be achieved by relying on that approach.
That's why you should check out Telamon's approach to energy management. We maximize your existing investments and provide complete visibility and control over your energy portfolio. We make sustainability sustainable. We help "being Green" make green. We're making O.P.P. (optimal powering possible).
Mark "you down with O.P.P.? Yeah, you know me" Brown
Telamon Corporation - Energy Solutions
