garrett reveals building efficiency plan

http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/garrett-reveals-building-efficiency-plan-20091112-ib8l.html

Building owners will be forced to reveal the energy efficiency of their properties when they sell or lease office space, Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett has announced.

The national disclosure scheme, starting in mid-2010, will mean thousands of commercial property owners face fines if they fail to provide an up-to-date Building Energy Efficiency Certificate. Only commercial properties larger than 2000 square metres will be affected.

Mr Garrett called the scheme a "tremendous driver" for greener buildings, since tenants, owners and potential buyers will easily be able to compare the costs of running office space.

He told an Energy Efficiency Council conference in Melbourne on Thursday that the plan "will help drive demand for greener offices that are not only more comfortable to work in, but can also deliver more motivated and productive workers and support cleaner energy jobs".

The minister cited a US study that indicated "green" buildings sold for 16 per cent more than others and had a 6 per cent increase in rental rates.