Building Energy

Reducing building energy use is the most important step that Oak Park can take to take action on climate change and reach the community’s Climate Ready Oak Park goals.

In Oak Park, energy used by commercial buildings creates one-third of greenhouse gas emissions, which trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and cause climate change.

On February 6, 2023, the Village Board of Trustees voted to adopt an energy and water benchmarking ordinance to help owners and managers of large commercial buildings to better understand and improve their building’s performance.

The video below is a presentation from the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) and the Village of Oak Park's Office of Sustainability to facilitate a discussion with building owners and managers on the topic of an energy benchmarking ordinance. The presentation and discussion occurred on January 19, 2023.