Compliant Not Confused: Energy Reporting Policies
New National Energy Benchmarking Laws Expose Commercial Real Estate Owners to Big Fines & Big Opportunities
As mandatory energy benchmarking and building energy policy are gaining momentum across the country, cities are using it to promote energy efficiency and drive more rebate and incentive programs. As many as 10 cities now require mandatory annual benchmarking for commercial buildings and set penalties (as much as $100/day) for non-compliance.
Below is a list of cities, counties and states that have passed laws requiring benchmarking and reporting for commercial real estate. Current regulations vary in terms of the types and sizes of buildings they affect, in addition to the associated fees.
|
Atlanta, GA |
| Building Types Affected | Size | Compliance Deadline | ||
| Public/Government | Greater Than or Equal To 10,000 Sq. Feet | 2015-04-30 | ||
| Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 10,000 Sq. Feet | 2015-08-01 | ||
|
Greater Than or Equal To 10,000 Sq. Feet | 2017-06-01 |
|
Austin, TX |
| Building Types Affected | Size | Compliance Deadline |
| Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 10,000 Sq. Feet | 2014-06-01 |
| Multi-Family | Greater Than or Equal To 5 Dwellings | 2011-06-01 |
| Single-Family | ALL | 2009-06-01 |
|
Berkeley, CA |
| Building Types Affected | Size | Compliance Deadline |
| Single-Family | Less Than or Equal To 4 Dwellings | 2015-12-01 |
| Multi-Family, Non-Residential, Public/Government | Greater Than or Equal To 50,000 Sq. Feet | 2016-10-01 |
| Multi-Family, Non-Residential, Public/Government | Greater Than or Equal To 25,000 Sq. Feet | 2017-10-01 |
| Multi-Family, Non-Residential, Public/Government | Greater Than or Equal To 15,000 Sq. Feet | 2018-10-01 |
| Multi-Family, Non-Residential, Public/Government | Greater Than or Equal To 5,000 Sq. Feet | 2019-10-01 |
| Multi-Family, Non-Residential, Public/Government | ALL | 2020-10-01 |
|
Boston, MA |
| Building Types Affected | Size | Compliance Deadline |
| Public/Government | ALL | 2013-06-15 |
| Multi-Family | Greater Than or Equal To 50,000 Sq. Feet | 2015-05-15 |
| Multi-Family | Greater Than or Equal To 50 Dwellings | 2015-05-15 |
| Multi-Family | Greater Than or Equal To 35,000 Sq. Feet | 2017-05-15 |
| Multi-Family | Greater Than or Equal To 35 Dwellings | 2017-05-15 |
| Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 50,000 Sq. Feet | 2014-09-15 |
| Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 35,000 Sq. Feet | 2016-05-15 |
|
Boulder, CO |
| Building Types Affected | Size | Compliance Deadline |
| Public/Government | Greater Than or Equal To 5,000 Sq. Feet | 2016-05-01 |
| Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 50,000 Sq. Feet | 2016-08-01 |
| Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 30,000 Sq. Feet | 2018-06-01 |
| Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 20,000 Sq. Feet | 2020-06-01 |
|
California |
| Building Types Affected | Size | Compliance Deadline |
| Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 50,000 Sq. Feet | TBD |
| Multi-Family | Greater Than or Equal To 50,000 Sq. Feet | TBD |
|
Cambridge, MA |
| Building Types Affected | Size | Compliance Deadline |
| Public/Government | Greater Than or Equal To 10,000 Sq. Feet | 2014-12-31 |
| Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 50,000 Sq. Feet | 2015-05-01 |
| Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 25,000 Sq. Feet | 2016-05-01 |
| Multi-Family | Greater Than or Equal To 50 Dwellings | 2015-05-01 |
|
Chicago, IL |
| Building Types Affected | Size | Compliance Deadline |
| Public/Government | Greater Than or Equal To 250,000 Sq. Feet | 2014-06-01 |
| Public/Government | Greater Than or Equal To 50,000 Sq. Feet | 2015-06-01 |
| Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 250,000 Sq. Feet | 2014-06-01 |
| Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 50,000 Sq. Feet | 2015-06-01 |
| Multi-Family | Greater Than or Equal To 250,000 Sq. Feet | 2015-06-01 |
| Multi-Family | Greater Than or Equal To 50,000 Sq. Feet | 2016-06-01 |
|
Kansas City, MO |
| Building Types Affected | Size | Compliance Deadline |
| Public/Government | Greater Than or Equal To 10,000 Sq. Feet | 2016-05-01 |
| Multi-Family, Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 50,000 Sq. Feet | 2018-05-01 |
| Multi-Family, Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 100,000 Sq. Feet | 2017-05-01 |
|
Minneapolis, MN |
| Building Types Affected | Size | Compliance Deadline |
| Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 100,000 Sq. Feet | 2014-06-01 |
| Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 50,000 Sq. Feet | 2015-06-01 |
| Public/Government | Greater Than or Equal To 25,000 Sq. Feet | 2013-06-01 |
|
Montgomery County, MD |
| Building Types Affected | Size | Compliance Deadline |
| Public/Government | ALL | 2015-06-01 |
| Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 250,000 Sq. Feet | 2016-06-01 |
| Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 50,000 up to 250,000 Sq. Feet | 2017-06-01 |
|
New York City, NY |
| Building Types Affected | Size | Compliance Deadline |
| Public/Government | Greater Than or Equal To 10,000 Sq. Feet | 2010-05-01 |
| Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 50,000 Sq. Feet | 2011-05-01 |
| Multi-Family | Greater Than or Equal To 50,000 Sq. Feet | 2011-05-01 |
|
Philadelphia, PA |
| Building Types Affected | Size | Compliance Deadline |
| Non-Residential, Public/Government | Greater Than or Equal To 50,000 Sq. Feet | 2013-11-01 |
| Multi-Family | Greater Than or Equal To 50,000 Sq. Feet | TBD |
|
Portland, OR |
| Building Types Affected | Size | Compliance Deadline |
| Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 50,000 Sq. Feet | 2016-04-22 |
| Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 20,000 Sq. Feet | 2017-04-22 |
|
San Francisco, CA |
| Building Types Affected | Size | Compliance Deadline |
| Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 50,000 Sq. Feet | 2011-10-01 |
| Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 25,000 Sq. Feet | 2012-04-01 |
| Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 10,000 Sq. Feet | 2013-04-01 |
|
Seattle, WA |
| Building Types Affected | Size | Compliance Deadline |
| Multi-Family, Non-Residential, Public/Government | Greater Than or Equal To 50,000 Sq. Feet | 2012-10-01 |
| Multi-Family, Non-Residential, Public/Government | Greater Than or Equal To 20,000 Sq. Feet | 2013-04-01 |
|
Washington State |
| Building Types Affected | Size | Compliance Deadline |
| Public/Government | Greater Than 10,000 Sq. Feet | 2010-07-01 |
| Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 50,000 Sq. Feet | 2011-01-01 |
| Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 10,000 Sq. Feet | 2012-01-01 |
|
Washington, D.C. |
| Building Types Affected | Size | Compliance Deadline |
| Public/Government | Greater Than or Equal To 10,000 Sq. Feet | 2010-04-01 |
| Multi-Family, Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 200,000 Sq. Feet | 2013-03-09 |
| Multi-Family, Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 150,000 Sq. Feet | 2013-03-09 |
| Multi-Family, Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 100,000 Sq. Feet | 2013-04-01 |
| Multi-Family, Non-Residential | Greater Than or Equal To 50,000 Sq. Feet | 2014-04-01 |
Our Services
greeNEWit offers support with the following:
- Automatic annual compliance with benchmarking laws in a subscription model
- Online access to a monitoring platform for your facility management team
- Continuous tracking of energy use to measure and verify the effectiveness of any improvements
- Identification of energy efficiency opportunities based on local rebates and building performance
References:
1 ENERGY STAR, “Federal, State, and Local Governments Leveraging ENERGY STAR,” January 30, 2013; https://www.energystar.gov/ia/business/government/State_Local_Govts_Leveraging_ES.pdf
2 City of Boston, “Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance”; http://www.cityofboston.gov/eeos/reporting3 Cambridge, MA Gov, “Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance Passes City Council”; https://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/News/2014/07/buildingenergydisclosureordinancepassescitycouncil.aspx
4 City of Chicago, “Chicago Energy Benchmarking”; http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/progs/env/building-energy-benchmarking---transparency.html5 City of Minneapolis “Commercial Building Benchmarking and Transparency”; http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/environment/energy
6 City of Boulder “Webinar on Proposed Energy Efficiency and Rating & Reporting Requirements”: https://vimeo.com/1226849527 Institute for Market Transformation “Building Energy Performance Policy”: http://www.imt.org/policy/building-energy-performance-policy