Bloomington promotes energy benchmarking to cut business costs
The Bloomington City Council highlighted its large building energy benchmarking program at a Wednesday meeting, showcasing how the initiative helps major employers reduce operating expenses while supporting the city's climate goals.
The city's benchmarking program requires large buildings to measure and track their energy use, allowing businesses to identify where they can cut costs and improve efficiency. Two major Bloomington employers — Donaldson's Corporate Campus, a 600,000-square-foot facility, and Friendship Village of Bloomington, an 800,000 to 900,000-square-foot senior living community — shared how the program has benefited their operations.
Participants emphasized the financial incentives. "When you become more energy efficient, you save money, your operating expenses get reduced, you can lower your overhead," one representative said. The program works by connecting businesses with available grants and rebates for energy improvements, making upgrades more affordable.
City officials framed the initiative as central to Bloomington's environmental strategy. "Energy benchmarking provides information that can help buildings to reduce their greenhouse gas usage, which aligns with the city's climate goals and strategic plan," a city representative explained. The program also helps the city identify which businesses could benefit from state and federal energy assistance programs.
The fundamental principle driving the effort is straightforward: "Benchmarking is important because you can't manage what you don't measure," a speaker noted. By tracking energy consumption, businesses gain the data needed to make informed decisions about efficiency upgrades. The program is also active in Hennepin County for larger properties, suggesting a regional approach to sustainability. While no votes were recorded at the meeting, the presentation underscored the city's commitment to reducing emissions while helping local businesses lower their operating costs.
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Notable Quotes (3)
Benchmarking is important because you can't manage what you don't measure. And by benchmarking, it allows businesses to control their costs and also to identify areas for energy improvements.
When you become more energy efficient, you save money, your operating expenses get reduced, you can lower your overhead.
Energy benchmarking provides information that can help buildings to reduce their greenhouse gas usage, which aligns with the city's climate goals and strategic plan. Benchmarking also helps the city to identify businesses that can benefit from energy grants and rebates and to connect them with those resources.
Ordinances & Resolutions (2)
A municipal initiative to monitor and improve energy efficiency in large commercial and residential buildings, aiming to reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Official policy documents outlining the city's environmental objectives, which are supported by initiatives like the energy benchmarking program.
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