Mayor Thomas M. Menino, seeking to encourage Boston businesses to be more energy conscious, is proposing a new law that would require commercial building owners to report annual energy and water use to the city, which would in turn make it public.
The proposal, which needs City Council approval, is already generating opposition from building owners, who say the city wants to shame them into expensive energy upgrades that will raise rents for tenants and hurt the commercial real estate market.
Comments
Frankly, it's none of the mayor's business How much electricity is used. Is he taking nanny lessons from Bloomberg?
Excellent idea. If the "adults" won't monitor and then respond to the information themselves, make it too expensive to ignore responsibility. It's never going to happen if we leave it to those protecting profit instead of community - - and the "we'll pass it on to those without power" argument is well practiced by the anti-health care crowd. Though they'll save money over all, they'll still increase what they charge - win-win. We save energy, and the pigs get fatter.
You need a law for this? Why not, if the idea is so "wonderful" and productive, can't the mayor simply PERSUADE business to do this? Why the need to coerce? Every business is looking to be be more efficient, all things considered, simply to be more profitable. Will every city owned property be JUST as forthcoming with their data? If not, why not? And where does the process end where a city can legislate its preferences regarding what is obviously perfectly legal activity? If a business is operating stupidly, inefficiently, ultimately it will go out of business. Who then "benefits" by this legislation? Isn't this simply an exercise in the mayor flexing his political "muscle" to prove he can jerk around anyone he likes for even the most FATUOUS reasons? This law should be vigorusly opposed by all business simply on the grounds it is an outrageous intervention into their freedom to legally operate in any manner they chose without fearing mindless, bureaucratic, tyranny being applied at the whim of a blithering, moronic, mayor.
Does this mean the Mayor is going to update all the antiquated buildings under its control. Most of our schools still use oil and have radiators. Water consumption is lobox cause most of the sinks and bubblers are inoperative. Mayor Menino should look at Boston's properties and set an example instead of jumping on his worn out Bully pulpit.
Good idea. Seems like the Mayor is always pushing "Do as I say, not as I do". I would love to see what the city has done to put energy measures in place, how they are using the data, and the savings they have achieved. Have they done it without adding staff or hiring engineers? It would put a whole different spin on the proposal and could serves as a model for business to follow.
I'll tell you what this is about: Propose this invasive ordinance and then when enough building owners raise hell about it, the gang on the 5th fl. of city hall will withdraw it and grateful landlords will stuff the campaign coffers of His Worship.
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The first step to energy efficiency--I applaud the mayor's actions on this.
Slow week at city hall Mumbles?
Honestly, jjag & kennjervis have hit the nail on the head. Menino is nothing more than a bully looking for a public fight. Retire already_Mayor Menino.
Is the Boston Mayor still living 'rent-free' in Parkman House? The opulent, Greek Revival mansion on one of the most desirable streets in Boston!
It's typical of many government-haters to jump to extreme conclusions when something like this is proposed. But this is actually a market-based initiative. No one is requiring building owners to make improvements to their buildings; the market will do that, but only if the market has the right information. Right now, for every energy consuming device or product on the market, you can find out how much energy it uses. Except for homes and buildings. It's the biggest financial decision most of us are likely to make, yet there is woefully little information available to guide that decision with regard to energy use, which is the cost that keeps on costing. Kudos to the mayor for helping consumers by requiring the disclosure of this information.
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We don't hate government, but we loathe BIG government and all its self-righteous power-mongers who would RULE over us, the working class and unwashed; We are not to serve government - Government was constructed to serve us. Menino has no right or authority to impose such a law. People who own commercial buildings in Boston are certainly not stupid or wasteful. They don't need the NANNY STATE to "help" them save energy.
The Boston Water & Sewer Commission can't provide water usage for every building in Boston? If not, there is a problem.
Fri Feb 22 - So glad that most comments are against - What gives this mayor or any other government agency the authority to intrude into private citizens' and corporations' affairs? A new "ORDINANCE"? Another law? So, how will his lordship propose to PUNISH those building owners who do not comply??? Why not make it voluntary? That might make a good start. As for tenants and other energy payers in Boston's commercial buildings, they will vote with their feet and choose lower energy properties if they have any common sense and do their homework- let the buyer beware. This is why property buyers at all levels (starting at single family)hire inspectors to evaluate buildings before sale - energy efficiency is a huge component of their reports. Just another power grab - one more vain attempt for the mayuh to achieve "legacy" on his out. PLEASE, leave the citizens alone - ENOUGH LAWS & REGULATIONS & ORDINANCES & RULES. Get out of our buildings & out of our pockets. The proposal is neither noble nor necessary. Please don't try to save the planet one heating system at a time. Man-made global climate change is a hoax - stop inhaling all that carbon-dioxide. God help us....