A Graham Scholars team partnered with the Ann Arbor 2030 District to support the implementation of the city’s Energy Benchmarking Ordinance. Passed in October 2021, the ordinance requires buildings over 20,000 square feet to report energy usage by June 1, 2024—a key step toward Ann Arbor’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2030. However, many property owners faced challenges in complying due to a lack of tools or knowledge.

The team worked to address these barriers through outreach and data analysis, developing educational materials, assisting property owners with Energy Star benchmarking, and analyzing energy data to identify trends and inefficiencies. Their efforts resulted in strategic recommendations for the Downtown Development Authority, including prioritizing multifamily housing, addressing high-energy-use buildings, and reinstating the DDA Energy Conservation Program.

Through this work, the team strengthened its expertise in energy benchmarking, stakeholder engagement, and data visualization, contributing to Ann Arbor’s broader decarbonization goals.

Project Report