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Retrofitting existing buildings to “net zero ready” is key to meeting climate and resilience targets, but how will we get from here to there?

Developed in collaboration with US DOE and NREL, LABBC’s Low Carbon Leaders initiative provides a platform to help LABBC’s most ambitious Partners develop real-world strategies to decarbonize existing assets.  As the two-year program comes to a close for the first cohort of participants, they’re ready to share key insights—and questions—uncovered through the process.

Join LABBC Executive Director David Hodgins in conversation with representatives from Douglas Emmett and Paramount Pictures where they will discuss: 

• Lessons learned 

• Challenges   

• Opportunities 

• And what’s next 

Key Takeaways

• Efficiency first. Energy efficiency is the foundation for a cost-effective net zero transition.

• All options on the table. When everything is on the table, you may be surprised by what is possible (and what is not).

• Your project matters. The City of LA and LADWP value real world projects to inform policy and programs, and LABBC can help! Reach out today.

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The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) is the most significant climate legislation in U.S. history. But what does this mean to building owners? As one White House expert recently put it, “decarbonization is going on sale.”  

Two-thirds of IRA funding will take the form of tax credits, which are being enhanced to benefit more organizations, including nonprofits and even local governments. In addition, the EPAct 179D tax deduction has been made permanent, and its value has more than doubled from $1.80 per square foot to $5. 

LABBC’s David Hodgins spoke with federal tax law expert Gabrielle Jacques of Norton Rose Fulbright and energy efficiency expert Rich Maiolo of Capital Review Group about: 

• Recent changes to federal tax incentives under IRA; 

• How to access these incentives; and  

• Case studies on real-world projects 

Key Takeaways

• Opportunity everywhere. Tax incentives are available regardless of location. Bonuses, or “adders,” are more limited by geography. 

• More money for more entities. With direct pay, public and tax-exempt entities can now benefit. 

• EBEWE audits can tee up tax incentives. Ask your ARCx provider about factoring in EPAct 179D and other tax incentives that can enhance the ROI of potential upgrades. 

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Leak detection in multifamily properties can be the largest and quickest opportunity for utility savings. Simple and discrete leak detection technologies can effectively lower overall water use and substantially improve a building’s performance.

Join LABBC’s Maureen Erbeznik in conversation with Cora Snyder of Pacific Institute, Gary Tilkian of Metropolitan Water District and Terrence McCarthy of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power for a roundtable discussion on:

• California’s current water supply

• Pending state legislation and available water incentives

• New leak detection and management technologies

• Leak detection case studies

• Water efficiency opportunities for multifamily housing

Key Takeaways

• The Best Place to Start. Find out who your water retail agency is and connect with the water conservation coordinator.

• Get Ahead of Policy While Incentives are Available. Several water reduction measures are likely to be mandated in the future and there are incentives available now.

• Innovative Water Saving Technologies Work. Today’s leak detection strategies can be implemented quickly and at a low cost. Many are also covered by LADWP and MWD incentive programs.

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Although programs to encourage energy efficiency upgrades to existing buildings have operated for decades, at current rates it will take more than 60 years to complete whole-building retrofits on all commercial buildings—and 500 years to complete on homes and apartments.

New and more aggressive approaches are needed, but what should those look like—and where do you fit in?

Join LABBC’s David Hodgins in conversation with Marta Segura, LA’s “Chief Heat Officer,” and David Jacot, Director of Efficiency Solutions for LADWP, to explore questions like:

• How is LA approaching this from a policy perspective?

• How is LADWP supporting building electrification?

• Where should customers focus today?

Key Takeaways

• EBEWE deadlines are active. The deadline for all covered buildings to submit benchmarking reports is June 1, 2023. A/RCx deadlines are Sept. 7, 2023, for buildings with LADBS IDs ending in 0, 1, 2 or 3, and Dec. 1, 2023, for those ending in 4 or 5.

• Transition, not a rupture. The City of LA is thoughtfully phasing in new policies as it moves toward a performance standard for existing buildings and wants input from building owners. Connect with CEMO to co-develop solutions to the issues preventing decarbonization.

• Pilots to programs. LADWP is developing new incentives to encourage decarbonization and resilience. Real world commercial projects will generate the information LADWP needs—contact LABBC to discuss your plans and get engaged.

Midnight Mission Holiday Drive

This holiday season, the LABBC challenges you to choose hope for the holidays by donating to The Midnight Mission. Each year, each day, and each hour, The Midnight Mission is delivering life-changing services to Los Angeles community members who are currently experiencing homelessness and providing a pathway to self-sufficiency.

In exchange for your donation, the LABBC offers you a chance to win a memorable experience donated by one of our esteemed staff or partners. Check out the list of experiences below!

Participation is easy:

1. The minimum donation amount to participate is $50. Your name will be entered once for every $50 donated (i.e. A $150 donation gives you 3 chances to win!)

2. Make your donation directly to the LABBC’s Midnight Mission donation page (or text “LABBC” to 71777).

3. Optional: email info@la-bbc.com to request that your entries go toward a specific experience.

4. Giveaway entries will be accepted through Friday, January 14, 2022.

One Year Membership for Two to MOCA

Established in 1979, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) is the only artist-founded museum in Los Angeles and is dedicated to collecting and exhibiting contemporary art. MOCA houses one of the most compelling collections of contemporary art in the world, comprising roughly 7000 objects, and has a diverse history of ground-breaking, historically-significant exhibitions.

Details: Receive a one-year Household Dual Membership to MOCA! Benefits include two personalized membership cards, free admission for four to special exhibitions, and more!

Immersive Maker Experience + Workspace Membership

LADWP's La Kretz Innovation Campus, located in the Downtown L.A. Arts District, is dedicated to promoting and showcasing the latest cutting-edge technologies and initiatives that promote sustainability and environmental awareness. 

Details: From learning the basics of prototyping to design thinking, come take a journey in the world of a maker and put your creativity to the test. With the help of manufacturing and prototyping experts, you will learn what it is like to go through the process of developing a product and walk away with a little gift! Next, join the community of cleantech entrepreneurs for an offered membership of 6 -months.

Looking forward to seeing you in our community soon!

Learn Guitar with LABBC CEO Dave Hodgins

Dave has been playing guitar for more than 25 years and loves connecting with people through music. His exposure to music began at home at a young age and he is one of many talented musicians in his family. If Dave could have another career, it would 100% be in the music business! Dave is the proud owner of 6 guitars, 2 ukuleles and a banjo and is excited to share his instruments and expertise with you.

Details: Jam with Dave for up to two hours! Bring your guitar or borrow one of Dave’s. Location to be determined once a winner is selected.

Study Buddy Session with LABBC’s Nick Caton

Nick is a first-generation UCLA graduate who is eager to provide guidance and mentorship to students. He graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and a minor in Environmental Engineering. He has extensive experience providing academic assistance, including reviewing resumes, cover letters, personal statements as well as general subject-specific tutoring and internship support.

Details: Receive up to four hours of one-on-one academic assistance with Nick for you or your students. This could include resume, personal statement review, application strategy, and internship search help.

Yoga Lessons Your Way with LABBC’s Emily Kulaga

Emily is a believer that yoga is medicine for the mind, body and soul, and has been practicing yoga (hatha and other disciplines) for almost a decade. She is passionate about sharing her practice with others and teaches breathwork, meditation and vinyasa flow practices part-time to do just that. 

Emily’s sessions allow you to attune to your body’s needs, so whether you want to slow it down and stretch, focus on your breath, or break a good sweat, you’ll be guided through a practice that’s just right for you!

Details: Receive up to two one-hour virtual or in-person yoga lessons, where Emily will teach you the foundations of vinyasa yoga and/or meditation, depending on your interests. Offered virtual or in-person (outdoors), bring your yoga mat and feel free to invite a friend or family member, or two, for a fun and relaxing session!

Location (if in-person) and timing will be determined once a winner is selected.

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Water is our most precious resource. To ensure Los Angeles remains environmentally healthy and economically prosperous, we need to reduce our reliance on imported water. Saving water not only saves energy and money, it saves lives.  

In the built environment, cooling towers are a cost-effective place to start. Industry experts estimate that cooling towers can account for 40% of a building’s water demand, and in some buildings, that number may be far more.  

Join LABBC’s expert water advisor Maureen Erbeznik in conversation with industry innovators Ben Slick of Hydropoint, Michael Boyko and Janco Vermeulen of Dynamic Water Technologies, and Sean Collins of Cedars-Sinai for a discussion about:  

• Opportunities cooling towers offer 

• Innovations in water management and efficiency 

• Real-world implementation and return on investment 

Key Takeaways

• We live in a desert: We need to be proactive to address drought conditions while water and sewer costs are still incredibly low.

• Water conservation is a way of life: Incremental improvements to the way people think about and act on water efficiency can save millions of gallons of water. 

• Saving water can be easy and worthwhile: Proven water technologies can both save you money and conserve water for a true win-win. 

Resources from the Webinar

• Cedars-Sinai Case Study

• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Study

• General Services Administration (GSA) Study

• LADWP TAP Program

• LADWP Assessment Survey

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The language of ESG is evolving.   

 The United Nations defines sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”  

 According to GRESB, the world’s leading sustainability reporting framework for real estate, resilience is “the capacity of companies and funds to survive and thrive in the face of social and environmental shocks and stressors.”   

 Once seen as separate but related concepts, sustainability and resiliency are converging, and Los Angeles is the epicenter.  

 Join us for a conversation between LABBC Executive Director David Hodgins and some of the industry’s leading voices on sustainability, resilience and real estate to explore how these once-abstract concepts are now coming together to influence real-world strategies. 

Key Takeaways

• Sustainability Isn't "All or Nothing": Shifting to a more resilient model doesn't need to mean high cost; ease in with small, but important, cost-efficient steps.

• Join GRESB: GRESB validates, scores, and benchmarks ESG performance data, providing business intelligence to investors and managers.

• Set Science-Based Targets: Learn how much and how quickly your company needs to reduce emissions to prevent the worst effects of climate change.

• Get involved with the LABBC: Gain market visibility, regulatory compliance support, networking and education opportunities, and advisory services at no cost to you.

Resources from the Webinar

• The Convergence of Sustainability and Resilience

• LA100 Study

• GRESB “Resilience” Resources

• 2018-2020 GRESB Resilience Module