Policy Brief: Philadelphia

One of the first actions by Mayor Michael Nutter upon his election in 2008 was to create the Mayor's Office of Sustainability. This body spearheaded the development of Greenworks Philadelphia, and ambitious plan to improve the city’s energy, environment, equity, economy, and engagement with the goal of becoming the greenest city in America by 2015. In light of these plans, advocacy groups like the Coalition for an Energy Efficient Philadelphia, the Energy Efficient Buildings Hub began working with the city on benchmarking requirements. 

On May 17, 2012, Philadelphia City Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown introduced Bill No. 120428, mandating that all large commercial buildings in Philadelphia benchmark and disclose their energy and water use.

Key Provisions

Similar to policies already in place around the country, the city opted use Energy Star Portfolio Manager as the reporting tool, with annual disclosure to the city government. All commercial buildings (multifamily is not included) over 50,000 square feet are required to comply.

The law will go into effect on June 1, 2013 but rulemakings will be published earlier. Failure to comply with the reporting requirement would be punishable by a $300 fine for the first 30 days, and then $100 a day.

Document Library:

See our full list of Philly-related documents 

Informational Resources:

Bill No. 120428 (new, amended legislation)

Greenworks Philadelphia

Compliance Resources: