Better Buildings Challenge Expands to Multifamily Housing to Boost U.S. Energy Efficiency
Developer McCormack Baron Salazar, Inc., together with affiliate Sunwheel Energy + Sustainability, named as inaugural partner by DOE and HUD today.
The U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced the expansion of the President’s Better Buildings Challenge to include multifamily housing. DOE and HUD recognize the energy efficiency commitment that developer McCormack Baron Salazar, Inc. and its affiliate Sunwheel Energy + Sustainability are making as Better Buildings Challenge Partners.
In his recent Climate Action Plan, President Obama called for leading multifamily housing owners to join the Better Buildings Challenge. As part of the Better Buildings Challenge, multifamily Partners commit to cutting energy use in their buildings portfolio-wide, by 20 percent within ten years.
“By committing to the energy efficiency goals of the Better Buildings Challenge, McCormack Baron Salazar has taken a significant step towards reducing long term energy costs, supporting innovative technologies, and creating good jobs,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. “Working together, we will increase housing affordability for owners and residents and foster healthier communities and neighborhoods.”
These leaders also broadly share successful strategies that maximize energy efficiency in multifamily housing, contributing actual energy data to verify the energy savings of implemented energy upgrades. Through the Better Buildings Challenge expansion announced today, 50 multifamily partners - representing roughly 200,000 units and over 190 million square feet - have committed to cutting their energy use by 20 percent in ten years.
“Partners in the Better Buildings Challenge are leading by example, demonstrating their commitment to providing more efficient and comfortable homes for their tenants that save money and energy,” said Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman. “We applaud these partners for joining in this leadership initiative and we look forward to working with them as they make their communities more energy efficient and foster greater economic growth.”
“Having developed over 17,000 houses and with over 15,000 rental apartments under management, the McCormack Baron Salazar companies are uniquely placed to help significantly expand the Better Buildings Challenge,” explained William Carson, President of Sunwheel Energy+Sustainability, McCormack Baron Salazar’s green affiliate. “In recent years, we have developed 2,700 green-certified homes and provide renewable energy for communities with over 3,000 families. Under the auspices of the Better Buildings Challenge, we hope to expand these benefits to all our homes and families.”