Coming to NYC: Building Energy Grades
Setting The Stage
In July 2010, the Health Department began requiring restaurants in all five boroughs to post letter grades summarizing their sanitary inspection scores to help achieve three goals: 1) to inform the public about a restaurant's inspection results in a simple, accessible way; 2) to improve sanitary conditions and food safety practices in restaurants; and 3) to reduce illnesses associated with dining out.
Following suit, energy efficiency will soon be hitting the public eye.
Beginning in 2020, all buildings in NYC over 25,000 square feet will be required to post an energy grade in a highly conspicuous location, like the letter grades we are used to seeing at the entrance to restaurants. This development is mandated by Local Law 33 - designed to promote energy efficiency, and publicly shame those who do not board the efficiency bus.