Energy benchmarking and disclosure laws for commercial real estate are active now or going into effect shortly. 25 local governments, two states, and one province have passed laws requiring building owners to benchmark their properties using the ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager and report energy and/or water usage data on an annual basis.
Many local ordinances have upcoming benchmarking compliance deadlines in April, May and June 2020.
The Institute for Market Transformation (IMT) notes the building sector makes up for about 40 percent of the country’s total energy usage, making it the largest consumer of energy in the U.S. According to the Energy Analysis and Environmental Impacts Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, “Using data collected from benchmarking and transparency (B&T policies) building owners, managers, and operators can identify opportunities to cost-effectively reduce wasted energy and water. Local and state governments can use the data to help achieve economic goals such as increasing local jobs and creating higher property values, or inform energy efficiency programs funded by the public or utility customers.” Benchmarking energy use is the first step in achieving several positive outcomes for not only those who own or manage buildings, but also for tenants, communities and the environment as a whole.
Find Energy Benchmarking Programs & Policies
Not sure if the building you serve is impacted by upcoming 2020 benchmarking compliance deadlines? The interactive map below shows a summary of national, state-level, and local efforts that use EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager to improve energy efficiency in commercial buildings.
EnergyPrint experts can not only streamline the time & effort required for your team to achieve local compliance, but also help you use this opportunity to take action and reduce energy expense. Contact us to learn more.