City of Asheville - Efficiency Standards for City Buildings (North Carolina)

Last modified on February 12, 2015.

Rules Regulations Policies Program

Place	North Carolina
Name	City of Asheville - Efficiency Standards for City Buildings
Incentive Type	Energy Standards for Public Buildings
Applicable Sector	Local Government
Eligible Technologies	Comprehensive Measures/Whole Building, Biomass, CHP/Cogeneration, Daylighting, Geothermal Heat Pumps, Passive Solar Space Heat, Photovoltaics, Small Hydroelectric, Solar Space Heat, Solar Water Heat, Wind
Active Incentive	Yes
Implementing Sector	Local
Energy Category	Energy Efficiency Incentive Programs, Renewable Energy Incentive Programs
Goal	Achieve a 2% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions each year through conservation, technology and behavior change, using 2001-02 as the baseline year Achieve an 80% reduction from baseline year 2001-02 greenhouse gas emissions by 2050
Requirement	New city-occupied buildings greater than 5,000 sq. feet must achieve LEED "Gold" standard; city-occupied buildings less than 5,000 sq. feet must achieve LEED "Silver" standard
Website	http://www.ashevillenc.gov/Departments/Sustainability.aspx
Date added to DSIRE	2007-04-26
Last DSIRE Review	2013-01-09
Last Substantive Modification to Summary by DSIRE	2012-01-26
References	DSIRE

Summary

In April 2007, the Asheville City Council adopted carbon emission reduction goals and set LEED standards for new city buildings. The council committed to reducing carbon emissions by 2% per year until the city reaches an 80% reduction from baseline year 2001-02 emissions. To work towards this goal, the council also resolved that all new occupied city-owned buildings greater than 5,000 square feet will adhere to the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified "Gold" standard. New city buildings less than 5,000 square feet will achieve the LEED "Silver" standard.

The resolution requires city planners to strive for the highest LEED certification possible when project resources and conditions permit. Buildings greater than 5,000 square feet must meet an energy savings payback period of 10 years or less. If the payback period exceeds 10 years, city planners must instead construct the facility to meet the LEED "Silver" standard.

The City Council adopted a Sustainability Management Plan in June 2009 to aid the city in reaching its carbon reduction goals. The City is currently wrapping up a four year program to change all streetlights to LEDs. When complete, the project is expected to save $650,000 annually.

Incentive Contact

Contact Name	Maggie Ullman
Department	City of Asheville
Division	Office of Sustainability
Place	Asheville, North Carolina
Zip/Postal Code	28801
Phone	(828) 271-6141
Email	MUllman@ashevillenc.gov

Authorities (Please contact the if there are any file problems.)

Authority 1:	Asheville City Resolutions 07-90, 07-91
Date Effective	2007-04-24
Date Enacted	2007-04-24

• Incentive and policy data are reviewed and approved by the N.C. Solar Center's DSIRE project staff.