The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) opened a comment period this week on its proposed ENERGY STAR NextGen certification, a voluntary public-private partnership program that would recognize low-carbon buildings. (EPA’s NextGen webpage)

NextGen Criteria

• The proposed NextGen label builds on EPA’s successful ENERGY STAR Commercial Buildings program that recognizes high-performing real estate assets. More than 39,000 buildings have earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification to date.
   
• EPA discussed its proposal at The Roundtable’s Sustainability Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC) meeting last week in Washington and again on a webinar this past Tuesday. (SPAC slide presentation, Jan. 25 and Roundtable Weekly, Jan. 27)
   
• EPA proposes that a building would need to meet three (3) criteria to earn NextGen certification: 

1.)   Demonstrate High Energy Efficiency
Building is ENERGY STAR certified and has a score of “75” or higher on EPA’s rating scale. 

2.)   Renewable Energy Use
Building must obtain at least 30% of the total energy it consumes from renewable sources through any combination of (a) onsite renewable generation, (b) renewable energy certificates (not “offsets”), (c) biofuels or other renewable fuels, or (d) renewable thermal certificates. 

3.)   Onsite Emissions Target
Building must meet a greenhouse gas emissions target unique for its asset class that is also “normalized” by regional weather conditions through a metric known as “heating degree days.” 

Next Steps

• Comments are due to EPA by March 2. (Comments Submission Form).
  
  
• SPAC has formed a working group to develop The Roundtable’s comment letter. 

EPA aims to make ENERGY STAR NextGen certification available in early 2024.

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