Explore Green Buildings

Better Design, Greater Efficiency, and Clean Power Production to Reach Net-Zero

Athens Co. EMS Station 2021.jpg

In 2020, total energy consumption in all buildings account for 40% (22% for residential and 18% for commercial) of all U.S. energy consumption and a similar proportion of greenhouse gas emissions, the leading driver of global climate change. Before factoring in electrical system energy losses, the residential and commercial sectors combined end-use energy consumption was about 20 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu), or about 29% of total U.S. end-use energy consumption in 2020. U.S. manufacturing facilities account for about 0.5 quadrillion Btu, equal to about 2% of total U.S. end-use energy consumption in 2018.

This research highlights a few key points that are vital to creating better buildings:

  • Living and working are energy-intensive activities in the U.S.

  • Building stock today can be improved and building stock in the future must feature better structural design, energy-use efficiency, and clean power procurement

  • Green Buildings can go beyond a building’s envelope and boundary by prioritizing sustainable location and site management, access to low-emission transportation options, water-use efficiency, sourcing sustainable materials, improving the air quality for building and site occupants, and innovations to support local renewable energy production that reach for Net-Zero energy consumption and environmental impact.

The Solution

The variety of building types out there, and the land where they exist, are vast and complex. SOPEC aims to advance the global green buildings movement throughout its member communities by supporting a diverse set of policies, programs, and projects that improve community’s buildings to achieve broad sustainability gains.

The Alliance to Save Energy has compiled a list of federal policy solutions and investment priorities for expanding energy efficiency in buildings.

Athens County EMS Station #51 - Case Study

Read the press release here: https://www.sopec-oh.gov/athens-county-netzero-ems-station-2021