In the wake of California's energy problems, in January BOMA called on Congress and the Bush Administration to adopt an energy policy that would benefit America's commercial building tenants, who they say are the heart of the nation's workforce. US Sen. Frank Murkowski, R-Alaska, who serves as chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, introduced the energy reform bill.

"Chairman Murkowski clearly recognizes that national energy legislation is a serious need," says BOMA President Richard D. Baier, managing director of CB Richard Ellis in Kansas City, MO. "If we are to resolve our current and future energy shortages, it's not enough to just reduce demand and try to conserve energy. The federal government must put in place a national energy policy that addresses the supply side as well."

BOMA International's new energy policy calls on Congress to enact a national energy policy that would guarantee consumers access to reasonably priced energy by addressing the problem from both the supply and demand perspectives. The policy calls for Congress to identify sources of domestic and renewable energy, eliminate regulatory burdens from developing energy sources and that set unfair pricing schemes, ensure the availability of energy and protect consumers from power monopolies.