The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance’s BetterBricks Building Operations Initiative was slated to begin in January 2006. Personnel changes delayed the start of development activities for several months. The initiative has benefited from a foundation established through its predecessor, the pilot Building Performance Services (BPS) initiative, particularly with respect to the relationships with key service providers in the region. Beyond these relationships and efforts initiated under BPS, however, the new initiative has made less progress than anticipated in the 2006 activity indicators. Key materials to make the case for improved building operations and maintenance are still in development. Relationships with key service providers have continued to be developed and these firms are showing enthusiasm and support for expanding their building operations service offerings but because of the lack of a well-developed business case and supporting materials there has been little substantive engagement.
