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<br /> January 16, 2019, Work Session – Item 2 <br /> <br />EUGENE CITY COUNCIL <br />AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY <br /> <br /> Work Session: Home Energy Score Meeting Date: January 16, 2019 Agenda Item Number: 2 Department: Central Services Staff Contact: Mark Nystrom <br />www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5017 <br /> <br />ISSUE STATEMENT This work session provides an overview of the Home Energy Score program that provides energy use information of a residential unit to potential buyers or renters. In 2017, the Eugene Sustainability Commission’s requested City Council hold a work session related to the HES program, including requesting council to adopt an ordinance that requires home sellers to post a HES score in sale materials for home listing or tours. <br />BACKGROUND The US Department of Energy created the HES in 2010 to help home buyers better assess a home's energy use for consideration in buying decisions. A HES is a value given to a home by a contracted inspector that estimates the energy-related use, associated costs and cost-effective solutions to improve the home’s efficiency. A HES is similar to the fuel efficiency rating (i.e., miles per gallon) when purchasing a car. The State of Oregon has created a certification program for individuals that would like to obtain HES, with Eugene Water & Electric Board currently providing optional HES to residents in Eugene. Several cities around the country have implemented a mandatory HES program including Austin, Berkeley, Santa Fe, Boulder, and Portland. As will be discussed during the work session, the adoption of a HES program has the potential to incentivize home owners to invest in energy efficiency improvements, potentially lowering greenhouse gases. Based on the Eugene’s 2015 greenhouse gas emission inventory and using the GHG reduction forecasts completed as part of the Climate Action Plan 2.0 process, residential units account for a small portion of percent of Eugene’s total ghg emissions. Additionally, many of the adopted HES programs focus only on residential single-family homes. In Eugene, from a Triple Bottom Line standpoint and recognizing the growth in residential units will include multifamily units, staff recommends the consideration of a program that provides energy use information for all types of residential units.