Release: In Effort to Cut Emissions and Improve Public Health, City Again Teaching Building Owners to Track Utility Data

Thriving Buildings "Data Jams" are an opportunity for managers of Indy buildings greater than 50,000 square feet to benchmark utility usage and empower energy efficiency efforts
 

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis building owners and facilities managers of structures 50,000 square feet or larger have the opportunity this spring to attend free, guided workshops where they can learn how to begin tracking their utility data in the free ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager software program. The three in-person workshops, referred to as "Data Jams," are hosted by the Indianapolis Office of Sustainability with technical support provided by the American Institute of Architects Indiana.

Two-thirds of Indy's citywide carbon emissions are produced from the energy used to power, heat, and cool buildings. The process of intentionally tracking a building's electric, water, gas, and steam use is referred to as "benchmarking." Campuses and individual buildings that benchmark and take action are proven to experience decreased utility costs as well as decreased carbon emissions.

Two years ago, the Indianapolis Office of Sustainability launched Thriving Buildings, a program designed to promote energy efficiency in large buildings throughout Marion County. The program was developed to manage compliance with the City's Energy Benchmarking and Transparency Ordinance, passed in 2021.

Thriving Buildings could spur both economic development and climate benefits for Indianapolis business owners, tenants, and community members by 2030, including a 27% reduction in carbon emissions, millions in utility bill savings, millions in public health savings due to improved air quality, and hundreds of new jobs. Indianapolis follows dozens of cities and states around the country with similar programs and policies in place to help mitigate climate change.

Participants should register in advance by using the links provided below and plan to bring a laptop to follow along and leave the workshop in compliance with the Ordinance.

Data Jam #1
When: Wednesday, March 13 | 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Where: Ball State College of Architecture and Planning Indianapolis | 25 N Pine Street

Data Jam #2
When: Thursday, April 18 | 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Where: Ball State College of Architecture and Planning Indianapolis | 25 N Pine Street

Data Jam #3
When: Friday, May 17 | 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Where: Ball State College of Architecture and Planning Indianapolis | 25 N Pine Street