East Hampton to track buildings' energy usage

The East Hampton Town Board recently voted to approve a law requiring the town to track municipal buildings’ energy performance in an effort to cut costs and reduce pollution.

The law allows the town to collect data on the energy usage of all municipal buildings 1,000 square feet or larger, compare that information with similar buildings nationwide and identify areas for improvement, officials said.

Supervisor Larry Cantwell said at a public hearing last month that the law, which was passed March 2, will help the town reach its goal of eliminating fossil fuel use by 2030. 

Beginning Dec. 31, each building will get an energy performance score from an Energy Star Portfolio Manager — an internet-based tool from the Environmental Protection Agency — based on its use of electricity, fuel oil, natural gas, steam and hot or chilled water.

Summaries of buildings’ energy consumption will be available online for the public.