Common Questions

Curious about the proposed BPS policy? Check out the questions and answers below.

1. If City Council approves a BPS policy, who would need to comply?
   Building owners are responsible for making sure their buildings meet proposed targets. If a building owner’s property does not meet energy efficiency targets for their building type, they would need to make changes to the building.
   
   
2. Does a BPS policy mean I need to electrify my building?
   No, Fort Collins BPS does NOT propose fuel switching (e.g., gas to electricity) or electrification. Building owners may choose to meet proposed targets by changing to high efficiency electric equipment, but that is not a requirement in Fort Collins’ proposed BPS.
   
   
3. What is an energy efficiency target?
   Energy efficiency targets are based on your unique building. Building types have distinct energy efficiency targets, meaning you wouldn’t have the same target as a completely different kind of building (e.g., multi-family apartment complex and bookstore). Proposed targets are measured in ‘Energy Use Intensity,’ meaning they are based on how much energy is used per square foot of your building. Energy efficiency targets account for variable weather conditions.
   
   Energy efficiency targets allow owners to choose how to reduce their energy use. There are many ways to make a building more efficient and a building owner can choose what’s best for them.
   
   Want to know your building’s current efficiency? You can find your Energy Use Intensity on our Benchmarking Transparency map at fcgov.com/Benchmarking-Map.
   
   
4. Does everyone have to make a 25% Energy Use Intensity reduction?
   No! The proposed policy has a maximum reduction of 25% for any building.
   
   For large buildings (10,000 square feet and above), the average reduction would be 13% to reach proposed targets. About one-third of large buildings already meet their targets so they would not need to make any changes to their building.
   
   For small buildings (5,000-10,000 square feet), the maximum reduction is 15%. The average reduction for small buildings would be 9% to reach proposed targets. About one-third of small buildings already meet their targets so they would not need to make any changes to their building.
   
   
5. What if my building is already efficient?
   About one-third of local buildings are already meeting their proposed efficiency targets, and if the BPS policy is approved, they wouldn't have to take any action. If your building is very efficient, it is likely it already meets the proposed target. Congratulations!
   
   
6. What if I can’t meet my target?
   Efficiency targets are based on your unique building, and the proposed standards were developed to fit your building type. But, we know some buildings just aren’t used like others, and there may be reasons why an efficiency target doesn’t work. Don’t worry, the policy has alternate pathways, or ‘safety nets,’ built in for special cases. Alternate pathways can include:
   
   -Caps: A limit on the amount of reduction a building would need to make to reach its target. Buildings that are far away from their target won’t have to make energy use reductions that exceed a certain amount.
   -Waivers: Exemptions. For example, buildings that will be demolished or are in financial distress wouldn’t need to participate.
   -Renewables: Onsite renewables may provide a credit toward your target.
   -Timeline adjustments: Provide more time to reach targets.
   -Target adjustments: Provide a unique target for buildings that just can’t meet targets or caps.
   
   
7. Are there penalties for doing nothing?
   If adopted by City Council, BPS would be a regulatory policy and there would be penalties for inaction. Any action you take that makes your building more efficient would reduce the penalty. Alternate pathways (see number 6) help building owners find ways to meet requirements and avoid penalties.
   
   
8. How is the City supporting me?
   The City recognizes the change BPS would bring to the community, and we are here to support you! The proposed policy includes significant resources to help building owners. They include technical support, project management, educational resources, additional incentives, and help finding and accessing financial resources.

Have other questions? Reach out to Project Manager Katherine Bailey at kbailey@fcgov.com.