Healthy Building Technical Committee 7-1-2026

The City of Evanston's Healthy Building Technical Committee convened on July 1, 2026, to discuss the development and refinement of energy use intensity (EUI) targets and related metrics for various building types as part of the city's decarbonization and energy efficiency efforts. The committee reviewed a spreadsheet tool designed to model interim and final EUI targets through 2050, addressing data accuracy, baseline definitions, and the feasibility of achieving these targets across approximately 40 building types. They also discussed the integration of greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy targets, with plans for further analysis and decision-making by September 2026. The committee emphasized the need for clear documentation and methodology reports, to be supported by the consultant Slipstream, to justify target-setting and compliance frameworks. Additionally, they deliberated on compliance mechanisms, including alternative compliance options, carbon offsets, and renewable energy credits (RECs), and the importance of defining allowable offsets and monitoring processes through the city's existing Energy Star Portfolio Manager and BEAM platforms. The meeting concluded with planning for a work plan timeline, task assignments, and the development of clear application forms and instructions for building owners to report compliance data, including financial hardship considerations and audit requirements for decarbonization plans.