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The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) applauds Congress for authorizing and funding the ENERGY STAR program at $33 million for the 2026 fiscal year. The House of Representatives passed the measure on Jan. 8, followed by Senate approval as part of a three-bill mini-bus on Jan. 15, Bloomberg News reports. According to BOMA, this vital program will continue to play a pivotal role by helping building owners and operators measure and optimize energy performance, reduce operating costs, and enhance asset attractiveness to tenants.

“More than 250,000 buildings across America rely on the Energy Star portfolio manager program to help monitor energy use, comply with local regulations, and save money for their tenants," says Mary Lue Peck, BOMA President and COO. "So yes, we are 100 percent invested in the program.”

BOMA strongly supported the effort to convince Congress to fund the Energy Star program by directly lobbying Members of Congress, supporting coalition efforts with commercial real estate (CRE) interests, and engaging BOMA’s members—resulting in nearly 900 letters sent to Congress championing Energy Star. In addition, Peck and Vice President of Advocacy and Codes John Boling met with Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID), chairman of the appropriations subcommittee overseeing Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funding.

“Chairman Mike Simpson’s efforts to fund this important program were remarkable in successfully navigating a complex political environment," Peck shares. "When most other programs were being cut, Simpson’s efforts in the House, combined with the leadership of Senate Appropriations Chairwoman, Susan Collins (R-ME), moved the program out of politically perilous waters onto solid ground. Collins and Simpson are true champions of the program.”

The ENERGY STAR portfolio manager provides dozens of state and local governments with data for benchmarking, disclosure, and Building Performance Standards, thereby reducing regulatory fragmentation. With metrics for energy, water, emissions, and waste, owners and managers can benchmark and improve their sustainability efforts. As shared by ENERGY STAR, the program saved 230 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity and avoided $14 billion in energy costs in 2024.