San Francisco Greens its Commercial Buildings

A new ordinance in San Francisco requires the owners of non-residential buildings to track and publicize their buildings' energy use. Landlords will use a free online tool created by the EPA to "benchmark" energy use; that information will be submitted annually to the city. In addition, buildings over 10,000 square feet must get an energy audit every five years.

San Francisco has a history of green legislation: The city has banned plastic bags and Happy Meal toys. Recycling and composting are mandatory. If the new law (formally called the Existing Commercial Buildings Energy Performance Ordinance), is any indication, newly appointed mayor Edwin Lee is on board with the trend. In a press release, Lee said, "This ordinance not only helps educate building owners about what they need to do to save energy and money, but it will also boost our local green-jobs economy."

--Della Watson