Many are aware that buildings in the US consume 40+% of the energy in the US and that energy efficiency is the third most valuable source of electricity behind coal and gas. These data are useful to make a point, but until building owners associate efficiency with economics the shift will be slow.
Over the past 6-7 years, New York City has set benchmarking goals and now City Council stands to establish the first rating system tied to building performance. Like systems prominently published in restaurants 'The City' or LA or the real estate 'Walk Score', building efficiency ratings stand to influence space selection process and in turn property value.
The continued leadership of NYC will drive awareness and 'conversion' across the US resulting in improved economics, quality of environment and energy efficiency in buildings.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/05/opinion/new-york-buildings-energy-efficiency.html