City of Asheville - Efficiency Standards for City Buildings

June 10, 2024

Summary

In April 2007, the Asheville City Council adopted carbon emission reduction goals and set LEED standards for new city buildings. The policies passed by the City have set specific goals in a variety of climate related areas. These include
achieving LEED certification for new City buildings, reducing carbon emissions by 80%, reducing municipal waste by 50%, and transitioning to 100% renewable energy. To work towards this goal, the council also resolved that all new occupied city-owned buildings greater than 5,000 square feet will adhere to the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified "Gold" standard. New city buildings less than 5,000 square feet will achieve the LEED "Silver" standard.

The resolution requires city planners to strive for the highest LEED certification possible when project resources and conditions permit. Buildings greater than 5,000 square feet must meet an energy savings payback period of 10 years or less. If the payback period exceeds 10 years, city planners must instead construct the facility to meet the LEED "Silver" standard.

The City Council adopted a Sustainability Management Plan in June 2009 to aid the city in reaching its carbon reduction goals. In March 2023, the City Council approved a Municipal Climate Action Plan (MCAP), updating the 2009 Sustainability Management Plan to incorporate new policies and resolutions, identify the top 22 most impactful, equitable, and feasible activities, and create a roadmap for accomplishing the three adopted goals and building the City’s resilience. The three goals outlined in the MCAP include:

  1. Resilient, sustainable, and efficient city-owned assets
  2. Sustainability and climate priorities are embedded In city operations, participation, and decision making
  3. The city supports sustainability and resilience for area residents and businesses

Program Overview

Implementing Sector: Local
Category: Regulatory Policy
State: North Carolina
Incentive Type: Energy Standards for Public Buildings
Web Site: https://www.ashevillenc.gov/department/sustainability/
Administrator:
Start Date:
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:
  • Solar - Passive
  • Solar Water Heat
  • Solar Space Heat
  • Solar Photovoltaics
  • Wind (All)
  • Biomass
  • Geothermal Heat Pumps
  • Combined Heat & Power
  • Daylighting
  • Comprehensive Measures/Whole Building
  • Wind (Small)
  • Hydroelectric (Small)

Authorities

Name: Asheville City Resolution 07-90
Date Enacted: 4/24/2007
Effective Date: 4/24/2007
Name: Municipal Climate Action Plan
Name: The Sustainability Management Plan
Name: Asheville City Resolution 18-279
Name: Asheville City Resolution 11-77

Contact

Name: Bridget Herring
Organization: City of Asheville, Department of Sustainabili
Address: 70 Court Plaza
Asheville NC 28801
Phone: (828) 259-5558
Email: bherring@ashevillenc.gov

This information is sourced from DSIRE; the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University.