Recent challenges in the real estate industry have highlighted the difference between agents who achieve lasting results and those who rely on short-term trends. As transaction volumes decli...
From Data Centers to Green Buildings: How USL Technology is Reshaping Commercial Real Estate Compliance
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Date:
24 Nov 2024
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When Fatou Jabbie moved to New York City in 2006, she brought with her over a decade of experience in IT and data center infrastructure. But rather than continue down that path, she saw an opportunity to leverage her technical expertise in an entirely new way: helping commercial real estate owners navigate an increasingly complex regulatory landscape around building sustainability and energy efficiency.
“Between passion, expertise and market conditions, you just got to use multiple variables and then make the best decision that you can at the time,” says Jabbie, reflecting on her decision to found USL Technology in 2011.
Her timing, while challenging amid the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, proved prescient. New York City was embarking on ambitious climate initiatives, starting with the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan in 2009. Today, with Local Law 97’s first compliance deadline approaching in 2025, USL Technology’s integrated approach to building systems and sustainability consulting is more relevant than ever.
The firm works with commercial property owners across various asset types – from office buildings to restaurants and supermarkets – helping them navigate complex energy efficiency requirements and implement data-driven solutions. What sets USL apart is Jabbie’s systems thinking approach, informed by both her technical background and her Master’s in Sustainability Management from Columbia University.
“Buildings are inherently complicated,” Jabbie explains. “We want to bring value, not only to the landlord, but also to the tenant.” This holistic perspective is particularly crucial when addressing the traditionally fragmented relationship between building owners and occupants around energy usage and sustainability initiatives.
With Local Law 97 implementing stiff penalties of $268 per metric ton of CO2 emissions over allowable limits, property owners are facing increased pressure to make meaningful improvements. Rather than leading with compliance requirements, Jabbie sees these regulations as a foundation for driving innovation in building management and energy efficiency.
USL Technology partners with established building management system providers like Johnson Controls and Schneider Electric, as well as emerging technology vendors focused on solutions for Class B and C properties. The goal is to help owners move beyond basic upgrades like LED lighting to implement deeper energy retrofits, including advanced controls, sensors, and heat pump systems where appropriate.
What truly distinguishes USL’s approach is their emphasis on partnership and integration across disciplines. “We don’t do our own installation. We partner with reputable contractors who do the work, but they also have to be contractors that are aware of these local laws, that are looking at retooling their skills and learning about some of these more efficient technologies and systems,” Jabbie notes.
This collaborative model extends to working with architects, engineers, and other stakeholders to optimize both outcomes and costs. Without effective coordination between these parties, the potential value can diminish significantly from a cost perspective. The challenge lies in presenting these complex, multifaceted solutions to clients in an accessible way.
Looking ahead, Jabbie remains focused on building meaningful partnerships with firms whose values align with USL’s mission. Her background as an industry outsider has become an advantage, allowing her to approach problems with fresh perspective while leveraging established relationships with reputable vendors and partners.
For building owners facing mounting pressure to improve energy performance and reduce emissions, USL Technology offers a uniquely integrated approach to sustainability consulting. By combining technical expertise with a holistic understanding of building systems and stakeholder relationships, they’re helping reshape how the commercial real estate industry approaches energy efficiency and regulatory compliance.
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