The city of West Hollywood has been recognized by the California Energy Commission for local energy ordinances that exceed statewide requirements in the 2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards.

The city was one of six jurisdictions recognized for ordinances that focus on building decarbonization, a strategic lowering of climate-changing emissions from buildings. West Hollywood joins the cities of Santa Monica, Menlo Park, San Jose and San Mateo, and Marin County, in being recognized by the CEC.

Since 1978, California has updated statewide minimum building energy efficiency standards as required by state law. After each update, many local jurisdictions have taken advantage of unique authority that allows for the adoption of standards exceeding the state minimum. Historically, such local ordinances have served as a bellwether fo1r statewide standards, providing a place to test market readiness, drive innovation and reduce the cost of efficient building technologies.

West Hollywood’s Sustainable Roof Measures ordinance was added to the city’s Green Building Program effective Jan. 1. New buildings and major modifications over 10,000 square feet are required to include either solar photovoltaic, solar thermal or vegetative roof, and some large-scale buildings must install at least one of three high-achieving green building measures.

Adoption of local standards has gained momentum. The introduction of CalGREEN – the state’s standards for green buildings – sparked the adoption and approval of two dozen local ordinances in 2010 and 2011. However, a new wave of local standards with a focus on decarbonization is unprecedented in the state’s history, highlighting the ability and willingness of Californians to innovate and tackle global problems at a local level.

The statewide standards took effect Jan. 1 and focus on four key areas: smart residential photovoltaic systems, updated and cost-effective insulation standards, residential and nonresidential ventilation requirements to ensure healthy indoor air quality, and nonresidential lighting updates to take advantage of the rapid improvement in LED lighting technology.

For information, call (323)848-6558, or visit weho.org.