Healthy Building Technical Committee 10-21-2026

The City of Evanston Healthy Building Technical Committee met on October 21, 2026. After public comment, the committee approved meeting minutes (the transcript references September 16 and appears to include a vote on September 22 minutes as well). Most of the meeting focused on proposed interim energy-use-intensity (EUI) targets for buildings leading to the 2050 goal. Members debated a simple linear progression versus a gentler early ramp, considering building owners’ capital-replacement schedules, operational improvements, and the fact that roughly three-quarters of buildings may be affected. The committee reached a preliminary direction to refine the proposed curve, but no target was formally adopted; a vote was deferred to a future meeting. Members requested building-type examples and impact calculations for further review.

The committee also began discussing interim on-site emissions targets, including how they might relate to EUI reductions, electrification, and the ordinance’s 2050 requirement. Members noted that the ordinance does not currently establish interim emissions targets or carbon offsets, and discussed alternative compliance plans and the need to encourage owners to plan ahead for equipment replacement. A fuller review of Slipstream’s greenhouse-gas spreadsheet and penalty concepts was anticipated at a later meeting. No procurement activity, contract awards, or spending decisions were identified.