REBNY, BOMA, City Set Up Green Boot Camp

Banks: “Our most powerful ally in the journey towards achieving the most energy efficient city possible is education.”

NEW YORK CITY—In an effort to broaden the commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the city, the Real Estate Board of New York ,   BOMA/NY and the Urban Green Council are launching a Sustainability Boot Camp pilot training program this spring. The energy efficiency and sustainability training pilot program will begin this April with the boot camp to be held at REBNY’s midtown headquarters at 570 Lexington Ave. The program, geared for building managers, superintendents, operators and engineers, is sponsored by CodeGreen Solutions , ConEdison Solutions , National Grid , NORESCO  and Zones . The program launched by the mayor’s office of sustainability, in collaboration with BOMA/NY, REBNY and the Urban Green Council, will offer the Urban Green Council’s existing GPRO Operations & Maintenance Essentials certificate and BOMA’s Energy Efficiency Program training. “Energy efficiency and conservation are more important today than ever before. That’s why ensuring that all of our building systems run at peak performance is critical,” says REBNY president John H. Banks, III . “Our most powerful ally in the journey towards achieving the most energy efficient city possible is education, and Sustainability Boot Camp will focus on improving a highly knowledgeable and well-trained workforce.” James R. Kleeman , RPA, president of BOMA/NY, adds, “Making our buildings more sustainable and energy efficient reduces pollution; improves public health; saves energy, water, and other resources, and greatly improves our tenants’ experiences. One straightforward way to accomplish that is to make sure our building managers and other staff have the skills and knowledge they need to operate buildings efficiently and sustainably.” The fee for participation in the boot camp is $30 per person. The first weekday course will take place on Monday, April 7th. Each of the courses will be taught by a combination of trained instructors and industry experts. Among the firms that have already agreed to participate include: ATCO Properties and Management , CBRE, Inc ., Cushman & Wakefield , Edward J. Minskoff Equities , Jones Lang LaSalle , Related Companies , Rockefeller Group Development Corp ., Rudin Management , RXR Realty  and Vornado Realty Trust New York . The Sustainability Boot Camp will complement ongoing citywide sustainability initiatives including Mayor de Blasio’s OneNYC goal of reducing citywide greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050. “Building energy performance depends on how well building owners and operators know how to maximize their energy systems and building components,” says Nilda Mesa , director of the mayor’s office of sustainability. “To meet our 80×50 goals we all need to work together, and we are delighted that REBNY, BOMA and the Urban Green Council, are our partners in leading the way.”