UPDATE: BOMA California Advocacy Update - EV Charging Station Mandate Proposed

UPDATE - April 30, 2014

BOMA California members were successfully able to have AB 2565 amended to remove the mandate that electric vehicle chargers be installed in all parking lots with 50 or more spaces. 

However, the bill now takes a policy that was meant to protect residential property owners from a homeowner’s association preventing them from installing charging stations, and applies those protections to commercial and residential leases to trump the property owner.

Although we are happy to work with the author in to advance his goal of trying to increase installations of EV Charging stations, BOMA members believe that this bill has enough unintended consequences and it needs to be amended.  BOMA California members conclude that the only efficacious way to significantly increase installations is to incentivize charging stations by reducing the ROI– either through subsidies, matches, grants, and/or tax credits, actual consumer demand, or as a tenant amenity.

Click here to see the current version of the bill and see how it could impact lease negotiations.

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Original Post - April 9, 2014

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Mandate

Last week, a bill in the California State Legislature, AB 2565, was amended to require that at least one percent of parking stalls have an electric vehicle charging station installed for all lots with 51 or more spaces. 

BOMA California has received member feedback regarding, costs, operational issues, loss of use, ADA issues, and feasibility of compliance, and is working with the author to detail the issues related the proposed mandate.  Although BOMA members understand that a growing number of electric vehicles are on the road - a good thing considering that they promote environmental sustainability - it would be prudent to allow for data-driven market solutions to this issue.  

EV-Ready Building Standard Proposals

In response to an Executive Order issued by the Governor in late-2012, the Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD) and the Building Standards Commission (BSC) are moving forward with regulations to require EV-Ready building standards starting in July of 2015. 

Instead of installing fully operational (and costly) charging stations for electric vehicles, these building standards would be limited to items that would facilitate the later installation of the charging stations at a significantly reduced cost. 

For example, all new homes will be required to have an electrical panel with enough empty plug slots to allow for the later installation of EV charging equipment. In addition, there will also need to be 1-inch wide conduit (piping) for the later installation of the wiring connecting the electrical panel with a point in the garage.  For apartment complexes having more than 16 units and commercial projects, similar requirements for electrical panels and conduit will apply to 3% of the parking spaces.

At least six legislative measures have been introduced in the Legislature to help the State of California understand the demand for EV charging infrastructure going forward and how to meet it. As an industry, BOMA views these measures as positive steps for environmentally sustainable transportation in California. 

The regulatory process will start in April and adoption is expected this summer with the standard applying to projects whose permit applications are submitted to the local building department on or after July 1, 2015.

Upcoming Webinars: Financial Value of Energy Efficiency in Buildings

BOMA San Francisco Members:

The Better Buildings Alliance would like to invite you to two upcoming webinars on the financial value of energy efficiency in buildings.

Review Core Competencies for Appraisers to Value Green Buildings

Date and Time: Wednesday, May 14, 2014, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. EST
Panelists: Elena Alschuler (DOE), John Brenan (The Appraisal Foundation), Rick Baumgardner (Appraisal Board)
Target Audience: Commercial and residential real estate owners/managers

The Appraisal Foundation is developing a document to describe the fundamentals of the Valuation of Green Buildings. This document highlights the core skill sets and data necessary for appraisers to value green homes and commercial buildings properly, and provides guidance on how to obtain them. The second draft of this document is available for public review and will also be presented on this webinar for real-time comments and feedback. Join them on Wednesday May 14, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern to:

• Learn about The Appraisal Foundation and its MOU with the Department of Energy 
• Understand the purpose of the document, the key issues it addresses, and its value to the real estate community 
• Review the Second Exposure Draft, 'Valuation of Green Buildings: Background and Core Competency' 
• Find out Next Steps for The Appraisal Foundation in the valuation of green buildings 

Register

Impacts of Energy Efficiency on Financial Performance in Green Buildings

Date and Time: Wednesday, May 21, 2014, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. EST
Panelists: Elena Alschuler (DOE), Patrick Finch (Waypoint Building Group)
Target Audience: Commercial building owners, managers, tenants, contractors, financiers

The Department of Energy conducted a review of existing market research on the impact of Energy Efficiency and Green Labels on building financial performance. The goal of the effort was to determine the extent to which empirical evidence currently available to the market demonstrates that efficiency contributes to overall building financial performance. The resulting briefing book reviews and summarizes over 50 relevant studies that examined a range of potential outcomes from efficiency, including operating expenses, rents, vacancy, sales prices and other drivers of Net Operating Income and Asset Value. This webinar will present the research review and discuss areas that have been identified for further research.

Register

BOMA San Francisco Supports San Francisco Water/Waste Water Rate Increases

BOMA San Francisco Members:

BOMA members recently met with staff from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) to review the proposed four-year rate package for FY 2015-18 and our association's leadership is supportive of the water and waste water rates as presented by the Commission.

In the past, the City and County of San Francisco has underfunded the maintenance of the City’s infrastructure needs, and, until recently, our water/waste water system has been no exception. The four-year rate package addresses the fundamental upgrades in our water resource delivery and treatment systems that will allow for our local economy to continue its upward trajectory.

BOMA San Francisco members have appreciated the long-term partnership with the City and County of San Francisco and its many agencies and departments since its creation in 1911. Our members value the collaboration and partnerships that have been established over the past century, including our relationship with the SFPUC.

In sharing the upcoming SFPUC rate proposal with our members, none has voiced any opposition. Rather, they have stated that increasing the reliability of our water/waste water system is a priority and that the ratepayer process is the most efficacious means to do so.

California Proposes New Elevator Maintenance Rules

UPDATE - April 28, 2014

BOMA San Francisco Members:

Since 2012, members of BOMA San Francisco's Codes and Regulations Committee have been working with BOMA California and the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health on changes to statewide elevator maintenance rules.  Our members' feedback was detailed in a BOMA amended 2012 Division Circular Letter.

On April 22, 2014, the Division held a meeting to review a draft of new elevator regulations regarding:

• Elevator maintenance;
• The qualifications for elevator inspectors and/or mechanics;
• And, requirements for other conveyances.

BOMA California members continue to maintain their feelings that routine upkeep of elevators - specifically those that do not affect the safe operation of the system - may eventually require Division mandated oversight by a certified elevator mechanic.  Any proposed changes along those lines would increase the time and cost for the maintenance of elevators and add a modicum of value to the safety of the elevator system.

BOMA San Francisco Board Member Kevin FitzPatirck kindly attended the April 22, 2014 meeting for BOMA members and relayed their comments.

If you have any questions or feedback regarding the draft proposal of new elevator regulations, please contact kenc@boma.com.

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Original Post - October 12, 2012

Elevator Categories of Work Circular Letter Withdrawn

BOMA California representatives are pleased to report that the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health has given notice that it has formally withdrawn Circular Letter 11-01 in its entirety, effective immediately.   Prior to this retraction, BOMA San Francisco's Codes and Regulations Committee members suggested edits to the Circular Letter which was sent to the Division on May 12, 2012.

According to the Division, the Circular Letter was initially published because they had received inquiries regarding if certain work on conveyances were covered by state law. After receiving more information from the elevator industry the Division has decided that clarifications are more appropriately addressed through a formal rule making process. BOMA California members agree and applaud the Division for this decision.  BOMA thanks our colleagues in the elevator industry for their diligence.

There will be future efforts by the Division regarding rule making so this issue is likely to be revisited by year end.

BOMA Bay Area Innovative EARTH Award Winners Announced

BOMA San Francisco Members:

BOMA’s Bay Area EARTH Award has been renamed the Innovative EARTH Award and on April 24th, two days after Earth Day, BOMA members from both San Francisco and Oakland/East Bay awarded those building owners and managers that have implemented the best environmentally sustainable innovations.

L to R: Jessica Handy, Jenna Hattersley and Laurie Rummelhart

Thank you to the leaders of BOMA San Francisco's Energy & Environment Committee for planning and producing this event.

2014 Winners - Congratulations! 

Click on the image above or here to review the latest edition of the Bay Area Buildings News for more details about our winners and the Innovative EARTH Award contest.

By shifting the focus of the contest to innovations only, this dynamic new contest allowed BOMA members the opportunity to highlight the innovative measures BOMA San Francisco and BOMA/Oakland East Bay members are implementing in pursuit of environmental sustainability in the commercial real estate industry.

Thank you to our sponsors for their generous support of this event:

UPDATE: BOMA Members Support Electronic Cigarette Legislation

UPDATE - April 24, 2014

BOMA San Francisco Members,

In March, San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee signed an ordinance that would regulate electronic cigarettes' sale and use.  The new law will be effective as of April 26, 2014.  The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) is working on a fact sheet and will conduct community outreach to help educate the public about the new regulations.

Please click here to read the ordinance.  If you have any questions, please contact SFDPH.

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UPDATE - March 20, 2014

At their most recent meeting, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously passed legislation introduced by Supervisors Eric Mar, John Avalos, David Chiu, and Norman Yee to regulate electronic cigarettes.  The details can be reviewed here and in the January 30, 2014 blog post, below.  The measure will be reviewed once more by the Board on March 25, 2014 and then it will be sent to Mayor Ed Lee for his consideration and possible signature.

At the February meeting of BOMA San Francisco's Government Affairs Policy Advisory Committee (GAPAC), BOMA members voted to support the measure.

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Original Post - January 30, 2014

Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, are not regulated in San Francisco at present.  Supervisors Eric Mar, John Avalos and David Chiu introduced an ordinance that would amend the San Francisco Health Code to:

• Prohibit the use of electronic cigarettes where smoking is otherwise prohibited; 
• Require a tobacco permit for the sale of electronic cigarettes; 
• And prohibit the sale of electronic cigarettes where the sale of tobacco products is otherwise prohibited.

BOMA San Francisco's Advocacy Team and Government Affairs Policy Advisory Committee (GAPAC) are currently reviewing the legislation.  More information on our members' position will be reported soon.  Please contact johnb@boma.com for any questions you may have.

BOMA California Advocacy Update - EV Charging Station Mandate Proposed

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Mandate

Last week, a bill in the California State Legislature, AB 2565, was amended to require that at least one percent of parking stalls have an electric vehicle charging station installed for all lots with 51 or more spaces. 

BOMA California has received member feedback regarding, costs, operational issues, loss of use, ADA issues, and feasibility of compliance, and is working with the author to detail the issues related the proposed mandate.  Although BOMA members understand that a growing number of electric vehicles are on the road - a good thing considering that they promote environmental sustainability - it would be prudent to allow for data-driven market solutions to this issue.  

EV-Ready Building Standard Proposals

In response to an Executive Order issued by the Governor in late-2012, the Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD) and the Building Standards Commission (BSC) are moving forward with regulations to require EV-Ready building standards starting in July of 2015. 

Instead of installing fully operational (and costly) charging stations for electric vehicles, these building standards would be limited to items that would facilitate the later installation of the charging stations at a significantly reduced cost. 

For example, all new homes will be required to have an electrical panel with enough empty plug slots to allow for the later installation of EV charging equipment. In addition, there will also need to be 1-inch wide conduit (piping) for the later installation of the wiring connecting the electrical panel with a point in the garage. For apartment complexes having more than 16 units and commercial projects, similar requirements for electrical panels and conduit will apply to 3% of the parking spaces.

At least six legislative measures have been introduced in the Legislature to help the State of California understand the demand for EV charging infrastructure going forward and how to meet it. As an industry, BOMA views these measures as positive steps for environmentally sustainable transportation in California. 

The regulatory process will start in April and adoption is expected this summer with the standard applying to projects whose permit applications are submitted to the local building department on or after July 1, 2015.

Now's Your Chance to Nominate an Outstanding Small Business in Your Commercial Building

BOMA San Francisco Members:

Join the San Francisco Small Business Network (SFSBN), on May 1st as they celebrate their 30th year advocating for San Francisco's small businesses.  BOMA San Francisco members have participated with this respected organization for many years and are excited for the next 30 years!

The SFSBN will be honoring outstanding small business entrepreneurs and advocates they host more than 200 business leaders along with San Francisco officials in the Marine's Memorial Grand Ball Room.  It'll be an festive evening with cocktails, great mingling, guest speakers, tributes, laughter, and fun.

SFSBN has these award categories and more that capture the City's spirit of innovation and history of success: 

• Influential Individual
• Influential Organization
• Outstanding Innovation
• The Pat Christensen Life Time Achievement Award 

Nominees qualify based on their level of innovation of a product or service, contribution to neighborhood or business communities, longevity and stability, best business practices, exemplary human resources commitment, and outstanding advocacy.

This is your chance to nominate those superb individuals, businesses and advocates that make our member buildings thrive. Download and complete the nomination form, then submit by email to Kieron Sinnette kieron@prolocal-sf.com.

THEN, party with SFSBN and your winners on May 1st ORDER TICKETS ONLINE NOW.