The U.S. Green Building Council recently published a new report that shows that the Obama Administration has the executive authority to use over 30 existing federal programs worth $72 billion to enhance energy efficiency in the nation’s multifamily housing and commercial buildings, without the need for new legislation. The report, entitled “Using Executive Authority to Achieve Greener Buildings: A Guide for Policymakers to Enhance Sustainability and Efficiency in Multifamily Housing and Commercial Buildings” presents an extensive menu of options, across an array of programs, which the Administration could begin implementing immediately without having to seek new funds or authority from Congress. Possible options include:
- Reforming appraisal and underwriting practices at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac;
- “Greening” federal banking regulation;
- Promoting flexible FHA insurance products, especially Section 241;
- Integrating energy efficiency and sustainability criteria into competitive grants and funding formulas;
- Strengthening minimum property standards for federal housing and economic development programs to reflect energy efficiency and sustainability standards;
- Improving performance standards applicable to federal buildings and leases;
- Refining guidance applicable to the energy efficient commercial buildings tax deduction and the national historic preservation tax credit;
- Using SBA funding mechanisms to support small business energy efficiency investments; and
- Streamlining Title 17 loan guarantees to make them suitable for buildings.
NH&RA Council For Energy Friendly Affordable Housing (CEFAH) along with several other industry partners worked in conjunction with USBGC to develop this report. Several of the recommendations stem from our federal policy recommendations. Click here to learn more about CEFAH or contact Thom Amdur at 202-939-1753 or tamdur@housingonline.com.
