This week, Columbus City Council will host a public hearing about a proposal to require energy audits in large buildings.
Council expects to hear legislation in March that would require large building owners to track and report whole-building energy and water use annually.
Owners of buildings that are at least 50,000 square feet would be required to report, as would government-operated and owned buildings that exceed 25,000 square feet.
The goal is to reduce the estimated equivalent of more than 400,000 cars' worth of carbon dioxide in the city by 2025.
If the measure passes, it would take effect in 2021. The city would be the first in the state of Ohio to enact such a policy.
Council's hearing is scheduled for Thursday, March 12 at 10 a.m. in the Michael B. Coleman Government Center. Members Emmanuel Remy and Priscilla Tyson will host.
People are invited to offer public testimony, but must fill out a speaker slip before 10:20 a.m. at the meeting in order to do so.
