Houston Building Owners & Managers Association

For Information:
Tammy Betancourt 713.266.5691

February 18, 2008 – The Houston Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) announced today that it has accepted Mayor Bill White’s challenge to improve the quality of life in Houston and is encouraging all its members to commit to a 30 percent energy reduction in office buildings across the city by 2012. This makes Houston the first large city in the United States to accept BOMA International’s 7-Point Challenge to further green and sustainable practices – a move that has received praise from the EPA.

Already committed to this effort are leading Houston companies such as Crescent Real Estate Equities, Hines Interests, Midway Companies, Thomas Properties Group, Transwestern, and CBRE.

 “As integral members of this community, we feel it is imperative we go above and beyond Mayor White’s environmental initiatives and to take a proactive leadership role,” said John Kelley, President of Houston BOMA. “Our building owners are interested in being responsible environmental citizens, and we see our membership leading the way with a voluntary reduction of energy consumption.”

As part of the 7-Point Challenge, members will be asked to reduce the use of natural resources, non-renewable energy sources and waste production. Specifically, the goals are:

·         Continue to work toward a goal to decrease energy consumption by 30 percent across their portfolios by 2012 – as measured against an “average building” measuring a 50 on the ENERGY STAR® benchmarking tool in 2007;

·         At least once a year, benchmark their energy performance and water usage through EPA’s ENERGY STAR benchmarking tool and share their results with BOMA;

·         Provide education to their managers, engineers and others involved in building operations, to ensure that equipment is properly installed, commissioned, maintained and utilized;

·         Perform an energy audit and/or retro-commissioning of their building and implement low-risk, low-cost and cost-effective strategies to improve energy efficiency with high returns;

·         Extend equipment life by improving the operations and maintenance of building systems and ensure equipment is operating as designed.

·         Through leadership, positively impact Houston by helping to reduce their industry’s role in global warming; and

·         Position themselves and the industry as leaders and solution providers to owners and tenants seeking environmental and operational excellence.

“The 7-Point Challenge is one of the greatest opportunities to achieve sustainable financial and environmental practices in the real estate industry,” said Stuart Brodsky, National Program Manager Commercial Program Markets for the EPA’s Energy Star Program. “The EPA is thrilled to be a partner with BOMA International and Houston BOMA in this endeavor. Having the fourth largest city in the country participating in this program will have an enormous positive impact on the environment. I salute the members of Houston BOMA for their proactive involvement.”

“Houston BOMA recognizes there is a need for an industry-designed environmental program and we are proud to take these industry-wide initiatives to help improve the quality of life in Houston,” Kelley said.

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Source: Tammy Betancourt