Advocate for Energy Use Disclosure Requirements
An energy use disclosure mandate would require realtors, property owners, or managers to provide data on building energy usage to prospective tenants or home buyers. This disclosure could include actual historical utility data, averages of the energy use intensity, or estimates based from equipment and other characteristics to inform the potential occupants of their expected expenses.
These energy use disclosures increase the transparency of true building costs and protect tenants and purchasers. Inefficient building design, appliances, or maintenance can substantially increase both the cost of occupancy and the costs to the climate by wasting carbon-intensive energy. A disclosure takes the surprise out of the arrival of a home or building’s energy bills, where these hidden costs are revealed!
An energy use disclosure mandate can be a mechanism to incentivize investment in energy efficiency and renewable or alternative energy sources. Tenants and home buyers decision making is influenced by low energy costs and property owners respond to this market pressure to make improvements that save occupants money and carbon emissions.
The City of Minneapolis passed a Time of Sale Energy Disclosure requirement that includes energy efficiency information on existing housing reports, as well as a Time of Rent Energy Disclosure that went into effect in 2021. These policies are aimed at providing housing protections while curbing greenhouse gas emissions as part of Minneapolis’ Climate Action Plan. The City of Bloomington also enacted energy disclosure requirements that went into effect in 2022.
Contact City Leaders About this Issue
Use the sample letter below to send a letter to your city councilor about this issue. You can find their contact info on the City of Duluth website.
Dear City Councilor,
An energy use disclosure mandate would require realtors, property owners, or managers to provide data on building energy usage to prospective tenants or home buyers. This disclosure could include actual historical utility data, averages of the energy use intensity, or estimates based from equipment and other characteristics to inform the potential occupants of their expected expenses.
These energy use disclosures increase the transparency of true building costs and protect tenants and purchasers. Inefficient building design, appliances, or maintenance can substantially increase both the cost of occupancy and the costs to the climate by wasting carbon-intensive energy. A disclosure takes the surprise out of the arrival of a home or building’s energy bills, where these hidden costs are revealed!
An energy use disclosure mandate can be a mechanism to incentivize investment in energy efficiency and renewable or alternative energy sources. Tenants and home buyers decision making is influenced by low energy costs and property owners respond to this market pressure to make improvements that save occupants money and carbon emissions.
We can follow the example of the City of Minneapolis which passed a Time of Sale Energy Disclosure requirement that includes energy efficiency information to already existent housing reports, as well as a Time of Rent Energy Disclosure that will go into effect in 2021. These policies provide housing protections while curbing greenhouse gas emissions as part of Minneapolis’ Climate Action Plan. The City of Bloomington also enacted energy disclosure requirements that went into effect in 2022.
By mandating energy use disclosures, the City of Duluth will be contributing to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging the investment in energy efficient systems and upgrades by home and business owners–resulting in less energy consumption.
Sincerely,
Your Name
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