BOMA celebrates its “Top 5” environmental initiatives

April 29, 2002—In honor of Earth Day on April 22, 2002, the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International has listed its “Top 5” earth-friendly programs and events, including: an online Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Resource Center; a series of energy management activities; the Earth Awards Program, currently in its second year; the passage of brownfields legislation; and advocacy efforts on behalf of the Endangered Species Act.

1. In response to the growing concern of moisture, mold, and mildew in office buildings, BOMA launched its online Indoor Air Quality Resource Center, providing a one-stop shop where BOMA members, government officials, commercial tenants, and other professionals can obtain the latest information on heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. The site also addresses terrorist threats and the vulnerabilities of these systems, which have been a major concern since September 11 and the anthrax scare. The online resource center addresses common causes of IAQ problems, preventive maintenance, guidelines on how to manage and provide quality IAQ service, and links to other IAQ Web sites.
2. In addition, as BOMA continues to look for solutions for energy shortages, the association has released a CD-ROM on energy issues and held a teleconference for commercial real estate professionals on energy management and conservation. The CD-ROM, entitled The Property Professional’s Guide to Building Energy Performance, is designed to assist commercial real estate professionals in enacting short-term energy conservation and efficiency measures, as well as developing and implementing a long-term plan to enhance building energy performance. The CD-ROM also provides helpful tips for reducing energy consumption in tenant spaces, checklists, and sample letters to respond to tenants in an immediate energy crisis or blackout situation. BOMA’s other recent energy initiative was a teleconference on energy management and conservation, which was held in 78 locations across the US and Canada. The association’s teleconference provided insight into the energy shortage, solutions to energy problems, and innovative approaches to implementing several technologies to improve a building’s energy efficiency and reduce energy bills.
3. During BOMA’s annual convention this June in Chicago, Illinois, BOMA will bestow its Earth Award to one property manager/owner and building for excellence in providing environmentally sound office building management practices. The winning building will have demonstrated excellence in several categories, including; hazard communication standards and workplace hazardous materials information systems; management of environmental risks/hazardous waste management; emergency response plan/preparedness; solid non-hazardous waste management; water and energy conservation; indoor air quality; green purchasing policy; tenant communications; and employee health and safety.
4. Over the year, BOMA has also continued to encourage Congress to address several specific environmental issues, such as programs to accelerate the revitalization of brownfields and promote greater state and local government involvement in the Superfund process. After years of effort, significant brownfield legislation was passed that resulted in safeguarding innocent landowners, prospective purchasers, and property holders from the web of Superfund liabilities, which BOMA considers a major victory for the association and the industry.
5. Finally, as an advocate for the commercial real estate industry, the association has also championed reform for the Endangered Species Act, believing it necessary to engender a balanced wildlife/human environment in which property owners willingly participate in the protection of endangered species.