KCTV 5: Kansas City secures $9 million from federal grant to improve energy efficiency in city buildings

Gabe Swartz, KCTV 5

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A federal grant from the U.S. Department of Energy awarded Kansas City with $9 million to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in existing buildings, the City of Kansas City announced Friday.

The grant comes from the Inflation Reduction Act to develop Kansas City’s Building Performance Standards (BPS) policy.

“With the generous funding awarded to us from the Inflation Reduction Act, I am proud we are now able to accelerate our work to create a more sustainable and resilient Kansas City,” said Mayor Quinton Lucas. “When we focus on improving the performance of our existing building stock, we an make meaningful progress toward our climate neutrality goals, while putting cash back in pockets of building owners, creating hundreds of jobs, and enhancing the health and quality of life for all Kansas Citians.”

BPS create policies that require buildings to meet specific energy and greenhouse gas emissions targets. Lucas’ office said the BPS policies are meant to elevate the performance of existing structures through ongoing upgrades and improvements.

Kansas City’s BPS initiative will begin with the City working collaboratively with building owners, tenants, construction and energy sectors, community organizations, governmental and non-governmental organizations and the public for a three-year project.

“Kansas City is honored and excited about this funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Energy,” said Chief Environmental Officer Andrew Savastino. “The goal of this grant is to help building owners understand and track energy use in large buildings and to elevate those building to be higher performing through upgrades and improvements that impact energy efficiency, safety, indoor air quality, and occupant comfort while decreasing citywide greenhouse gas emissions.”

Lucas’ office said the BPS strategy aligns with Kansas City’s broader climate goals of becoming carbon neutral and reducing electricity and natural gas use in commercial and public buildings by 16% or more by 2040.

Read the original article here.

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