Des Moines halts climate tracking program
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A Des Moines climate program meant to track energy and water use in large buildings was halted in recent years without a council vote or public announcement.
Why it matters: The program was designed to provide data the city could use to shape incentives, cut emissions and track progress toward climate goals.
Catch up quick: The City Council approved the energy and water benchmarking ordinance in 2019, which affected an estimated 770 buildings and was "a vital component" in the city's environmental efforts, according to the council's resolution.
- It required owners of buildings of 25,000 square feet or more to track and submit annual energy and water usage data to the city, with a $300 fine for a first violation.
State of play: Questions about the program's oversight surfaced at a council workshop last month when city staff informed council members that tracking had ended after state legislation in 2023 limited local energy-performance mandates.
Yes, but: Councilperson Josh Mandelbaum, an environmental attorney, argued that Des Moines can still collect and disclose data from large buildings because reporting energy use is different from requiring owners to cut it.
- He said public reporting can push poor-performing buildings to take efficiency steps because owners know their data is being tracked and made transparent.
Behind the scenes: City manager Scott Sanders told Axios last week that the city stopped administering the program for several reasons, including shifts in state and federal priorities, reduced city staffing and ongoing budget constraints.
- From 2019 to 2024, vendors, contracts, and other services supporting the ordinance cost the city about $28,500 per year on average, excluding staff time to track, collect and enter data, as well as to maintain internal databases, he said.
Reality check: The city's 2019-2022 benchmark data shows compliance, but not whether buildings cut energy or water use.
- As of Dec. 31, 2022, just 34% of buildings were compliant, and newer reporting cycles have not been published.
The intrigue: Mandelbaum argued that tracking and publishing benchmarking data improved building performance.
- EPA ranked Des Moines No. 2 among mid-sized cities with the most ENERGY STAR buildings in 2023 and No. 7 on its current list.
What we're watching: The city has not identified the full cost to restart the ordinance, including staff time.
- Council members asked last month whether consultants' or building-owner fees could offset the expense.
What's next: Sanders tells Axios the discussion is ongoing as council members participate in budget work sessions this summer and into 2027.