Annapolis Commits to Inclusively Design and Implement Innovative Building Policies
Annapolis, MD – Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley announced that Annapolis has committed to inclusively design and implement building performance standards and complementary policies and programs across the City of Annapolis, driving investment into building retrofits that create healthier, more resilient buildings and lower housing and energy costs.
The announcement comes as Annapolis joins forces with state and local governments across the country in the National Building Performance Standard (BPS) Coalition, a collaboration launched by the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Building performance standards paired with complementary programs and policies will enable us to meet health, equity, and climate goals.
“Annapolis has already taken steps that resulted in a 23 percent reduction in carbon emissions from our government buildings and facilities over the past 14 years. We have a number of infrastructure projects on the horizon that will take us even further in reducing greenhouse gases. It is my and the City Council’s intention to focus our investments in a greener, more resilient built environment,” said Mayor Buckley. “At the same time, we need to concentrate on integrating diversity and hiring from within our community and contracting with local businesses. We are proud of our work in this area and proud to join this coalition.”
Buildings are responsible for approximately 350,000 equivalent tons of Annapolis carbon emissions. Upgrading and retrofitting buildings to increase clean energy sources and reduce overall energy use can dramatically reduce these harmful emissions. At the same time, energy retrofits and upgrades can be leveraged to concurrently improve a buildings’ health and resilience for its occupants and surrounding community, while generating local jobs and increased local economic investment. Through the BPS coalition, Annapolis commits to increasing community and local stakeholder engagement to co-design building performance standards and complementary policies and programs - with the ultimate goal of advancing legislation or regulation, with adoption by Earth Day 2024.
Some examples of the work in Annapolis include the Annapolis water treatment plant, which won a 2019 Maryland Green Building Award, the new Annapolis Department of Public Works Building on Hudson Street, and the rebuild of Hillman Garage, which includes a minority contractor provision. Both the new Public Works building and garage will perform treatment of 125 percent of the impervious area contributing stormwater runoff and include electric vehicle charging stations and energy efficient lighting among other features. Solar panels will be installed on the garage roof. The Public Works building includes a green roof which will reduce surrounding temperatures by absorbing heat, will increase energy efficiency by acting as an insulator, and will absorb stormwater
“We are eager for the opportunity to support city and state leaders representing the vanguard of innovative climate policy, and joining this National Building Performance Standards Coalition. Members of this groundbreaking coalition will help drive new jobs to make existing buildings across the country more efficient, affordable, healthier and resilient, and will deliver equitable benefits across their jurisdictions,” said Mark Chambers, Senior Director for Building Emissions and Community Resilience at the White House Council on Environmental Quality.
In pursuing our commitments as a member of the National BPS Coalition, Annapolis will be able to leverage technical support via federal agencies including the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.
For more information about the coalition, visit www.nationalBPSCoalition.org.
