Covered Properties

• Any commercial or multifamily building over 50,000 Sq. Ft.
• Any municipal building over 10,000 Sq. Ft.

Exemptions

• More than three meters are associated with the property and the electric utility does not provide whole-building data aggregation services. Or if the owner doesn’t have access to master meters or any other means. 
• It meets any of the exemptions defined for a covered city property. 
• The director determines that, due to special circumstances unique to the facility and not based on a condition caused by actions of the applicant, strict compliance with provisions of this ordinance would cause undue hardship.   
• The property qualifies as having a financial hardship.  
• The property is considered “industry,” “manufacturing-intensive services,” or is part of a theme park. (Warehouses used for light manufacturing, storage, and/or distribution of goods are not exempt.) 
• Substantially all of the non-city property is used for telecommunications infrastructure.

Annual benchmarking reporting requires 12 calendar months of whole-building energy and building use data. For example, in 2025, building owners must report 12 months of 2024 data.

May 1, annually. Benchmarking reports must be submitted on an annual basis using the previous year’s data via ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager®. This is the EPA’s benchmarking tool that is used for compliance reporting in most ordinances across the country.

Building Performance Standards (BPS) are often considered Phase II of these building energy use ordinances. After reporting your benchmarking data, many ordinances require you to make changes to the building’s operations or equipment to lower energy use over time.

As of December 2020 Orlando BEWES requires buildings with an ENERGY STAR score below 50 (or equivalent energy use intensity) to perform an energy audit or retro-commissioning of their base building systems once every 5 years. Privately owned buildings must conduct an ASHRAE Level 1 audit.

An energy audit is a detailed assessment of how a specific building can improve its performance through a review of base building systems and equipment that use energy. This includes lighting and hot water systems, HVAC units, devices that contribute to plug load and the building envelope.

Alternatively, the building owner can elect to conduct retro-commissioning which identifies inefficiencies and performs low-cost or no-cost upgrades to improve building performance.

Audit Due Date

Beginning in 2020, audits or retro-commissioning are required for low-performing buildings within 5 years of their benchmarking data that triggered this requirement. For example, if a buildings data showed its poor performance in 2021, they will need to conduct an energy audit or retro-commissioning by 2026.

Third-party data verification requires owners/managers of covered buildings to hire a third-party expert who will independently review and verify the building’s benchmarking data.

Under Orlando BEWES, data verification is not required.

Buildings that fail to comply with Orlando BEWES will be publicly disclosed as non-compliant in the city’s annual report.

CONTACT US HERE to learn more and get started with compliance.

Orlando Building Energy and Water Efficiency Strategy (BEWES) compliance can be confusing and hard to navigate. Bringing on a consultant like Green Econome streamlines the entire process while ensuring accurate reporting. We also offer free consultations with our benchmarking clients to review the reports and identify inefficiencies to improve.

Ordinances such as Orlando BEWES are already in effect across the country, and deadlines are rapidly approaching. Retrieving historical building data will take time, especially when coordinating with property managers and utilities.

Waiting until the last minute risks missing compliance windows resulting in fines and enforcement penalties. Green Econome takes every measure to ensure complete and accurate data collection. The sooner you reach out, the sooner you will reach compliance.

Property Size

All existing buildings over 20,000 Sq. Ft.

Annual benchmarking reporting requires 12 calendar months of whole-building energy, and building use data. For example, in 2025, building owners must report 12 months of 2024 data.

Non-residential buildings ≥ 100,000 Sq. Ft. report beginning September 15, 2025 and annually thereafter.

Non-residential and residential buildings ≥ 20,000 Sq. Ft. report beginning September 15, 2026 and annually thereafter.

Benchmarking reports must be submitted on an annual basis using the previous year’s data via ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager®. This is the EPA’s benchmarking tool that is used for compliance reporting in most ordinances across the country.

Building Performance Standards (BPS) are often considered Phase II of these building energy use ordinances. After reporting your benchmarking data, many ordinances require you to make changes to the building’s operations or equipment to lower energy use over time.

Under Newton BERDO only non-residential properties must reduce emissions. Buildings will need to be below the maximum threshold of emissions (measured in total kilograms of CO2e Emissions per square foot) for their designated building type.

Covered buildings must reduce and report greenhouse gas emissions during the periods outlined below, or pay an alternative compliance payment (ACP). Each 5-year period is assigned an emission reduction target based on building use type. All must achieve and maintain net zero emissions from 2050 onwards.

Tier 1 Buildings

• Non-residential buildings over 100,000 Sq. Ft.
• Compliance cycles:
  • 2027-2032
  • 2033-2038
  • 2039-2044
  • 2045-2049

Tier 2 Buildings

• Non-residential buildings between 50,000 and 100,000 Sq. Ft.
• Compliance cycles:
  • 2028-2033
  • 2034-2039
  • 2040-2044
  • 2045-2049

Tier 3 Buildings

• Non-residential buildings between 35,000 and 50,000 Sq. Ft.
• Compliance cycles:
  • 2029-2034
  • 2035-2039
  • 2040-2044
  • 2045-2049

Tier 4 Buildings

• Non-residential buildings between 20,000 and 35,000 Sq. Ft.
• Compliance cycles:
  • 2030-2034
  • 2035-2039
  • 2040-2044
  • 2045-2049

Third-party data verification requires owners/managers of covered buildings to hire a third-party expert who will independently review and verify the building’s benchmarking data.

Under Newton BERDO, data verification is required in the building’s second year of benchmarking reporting and every 5 years thereafter.

Newton BERDO violations may result in a $300 penalty per violation per day it continues. Each day a violation continues constitutes a separate offense.

CONTACT US HERE to learn more and get started with compliance. We perform benchmarking, third-party verification, and building performance services.

Newton BERDO compliance can be confusing and hard to navigate. Bringing on a consultant like Green Econome streamlines the entire process while ensuring accurate reporting. We also offer free consultations with our benchmarking clients to review the reports and identify inefficiencies to improve.

While each service varies, the process of benchmarking, or analyzing data, can take 3-6 months on average. Ordinances such as Newton BERDO are already in effect across the country, and deadlines are rapidly approaching. Retrieving historical building data will take time, especially when coordinating with property managers and utilities.

Waiting until the last minute risks missing compliance windows, resulting in fines and enforcement penalties. Green Econome takes every measure to ensure complete and accurate data collection. The sooner you reach out, the sooner you will reach compliance.

Class 1 Covered Buildings

Municipal government and Public School buildings over 10,000 Sq. Ft.

Class 2 Covered Buildings

Commercial buildings over 50,000 Sq. Ft.

Annual benchmarking reporting requires 12 calendar months of whole-building energy and building use data. For example, in 2025, building owners must report 12 months of 2024 data.

Initial reporting is due by September 30, 2025, with subsequent benchmarking due June 30 annually thereafter.

Benchmarking reports must be submitted on an annual basis using the previous year’s data via ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager®. This is the EPA’s benchmarking tool that is used for compliance reporting in most ordinances across the country.

Building Performance Standards (BPS) are often considered Phase II of these building energy use ordinances. After reporting your benchmarking data, many ordinances require you to make changes to the building’s operations or equipment to lower energy use over time.

The Milwaukee Efficient Buildings Benchmarking Ordinance does not require building efficiency improvement at this time.

Third-party data verification requires owners/managers of covered buildings to hire a third-party expert who will independently review and verify the building’s benchmarking data.

The Milwaukee Efficient Buildings Benchmarking Ordinance does not currently require data verification.

• Failure to comply with the Milwaukee Efficient Buildings Benchmarking Ordinance will be fined $1,000 for every 90-day period while non-compliance persists.
• Falsification of data will result in an initial $4,600 fine and $6,500 fine for each subsequent violation.
• Further refusal to comply is subject to $20-$100 per violation, per day.

CONTACT US HERE to learn more and get started with compliance.

Milwaukee Efficient Buildings Benchmarking Ordinance compliance can be confusing and hard to navigate. Bringing on a consultant like Green Econome streamlines the entire process while ensuring accurate reporting. We also offer free consultations with our benchmarking clients to review the reports and identify inefficiencies to improve.

Ordinances such as Milwaukee Efficient Building Benchmarking Ordinance are already in effect across the country, and deadlines are rapidly approaching. Retrieving historical building data can take up to 6 months, especially when coordinating with property managers, tenants, and utilities.

Waiting until the last minute risks missing compliance windows, resulting in fines and enforcement penalties. Green Econome takes every measure to ensure complete and accurate data collection. The sooner you reach out, the sooner you will reach compliance.

Property Size

Buildings between 5,000 and 24,999 Sq. Ft.

Buildings over 25,000 Sq. Ft.

Annual benchmarking reporting requires 12 calendar months of whole-building energy, water, and building use data. For example, in 2025, building owners must report 12 months of 2024 data.

June 1, annually. Benchmarking reports must be submitted on an annual basis using the previous year’s data via ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager®. This is the EPA’s benchmarking tool that is used for compliance reporting in most ordinances across the country.

Building Performance Standards (BPS) are often considered Phase II of these building energy use ordinances. After reporting your benchmarking data, many ordinances require you to make changes to the building’s operations or equipment to lower energy use over time.

Energize Denver requires covered properties over 25,000 Sq. Ft. to meet performance targets designated based on the building type.

Buildings between 5,000 and 24,999 Sq. Ft. are required to either:

• Improve Lighting: Certify that a minimum of 90% of the building’s total lighting load is provided by LED lights, or that all lighting meets 2019 Denver Building and Fire Code for lighting power density.
• Improve Energy Source: Utilize on- or off-site renewable power generation to meet a minimum of 20% of the building’s annual site energy usage.

BPS Due Date (25,000+ Sq. Ft.)

The specified Energy Use Intensity (EUI) target must be met by the buildings covered under that use type in 2027 and 2030. With an approval of a timeline extension, the deadlines are 2028 and 2032.

Performance Requirement Due Date (5,000-24,999 Sq. Ft.)

December 31, 2025 – Buildings between 15,001 and 24,999 Sq. Ft.

December 31, 2026 – Buildings between 10,001 and 15,000 Sq. Ft.

December 31, 2027 – Buildings between 5,000 and 10,000 Sq. Ft.

Third-party data verification requires owners/managers of covered buildings to hire a third-party expert who will independently review and verify the building’s benchmarking data.

Under Energize Denver, data verification is required twice:

• Initial benchmarking data must be verified by June 1, 2026 to confirm correct building information and use type
• Final verification must be done to confirm the building meets the efficiency target in the final target year.

Benchmarking reports not approved by September 1, 2025 are subject to a $2,000 fine. Denver also assesses performance penalties for non-compliance based on the amount of energy savings (in kBtu) not achieved:

$0.15/kBtu not achieved:

• Buildings that do not opt into the updated compliance timeline
• Buildings that fall out of compliance after meeting interim or final targets
• Newly constructed buildings

$0.23/kBtu not achieved:

• Buildings that are following the standard updated timeline with an interim target in 2028 and a final target in 2032

$0.35/kBtu not achieved:

• Buildings that got a timeline extension and only have one target year for which Denver is assessing the data

$0.10/kBtu added to the penalty rate:

• Buildings that request a timeline extension after December 31 of the target due date they are requesting an extension for

$10.00/square foot listed by the Office of the Assessor:

• Buildings that have never submitted a benchmarking report
• Buildings for whom the most recent benchmarking report is from before 2019

CONTACT US HERE to learn more and get started with compliance.

Energize Denver compliance can be confusing and hard to navigate. Bringing on a consultant like Green Econome streamlines the entire process while ensuring accurate reporting. We also offer free consultations with our benchmarking clients to review the reports and identify inefficiencies to improve.

Ordinances such as Energize Denver are already in effect across the country, and deadlines are rapidly approaching. Retrieving historical building data will take time, especially when coordinating with property managers and utilities.

Waiting until the last minute risks missing compliance windows resulting in fines and enforcement penalties. Green Econome takes every measure to ensure complete and accurate data collection. The sooner you reach out, the sooner you will reach compliance.

Property Size

Commercial, industrial, and multifamily buildings over 20,000 Sq. Ft.

Annual benchmarking reporting requires 12 calendar months of whole-building energy, water, and building use data. For example, in 2025, building owners must report 12 months of 2024 data.

June 1, annually. Benchmarking reports must be submitted on an annual basis using the previous year’s data via ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager®. This is the EPA’s benchmarking tool that is used for compliance reporting in most ordinances across the country.

Building Performance Standards (BPS) are often considered Phase II of these building energy use ordinances. After reporting your benchmarking data, many ordinances require you to make changes to the building’s operations or equipment to lower energy use over time.

The Los Angeles EBEWE requirements are split into two phases. Phase I is the benchmarking requirement. Phase II requires covered properties to undergo ASHRAE Level II Energy & Water Audits and Retro-Commissioning (A/RCx), outlined below.

ASHRAE LEVEL II AUDIT (A)

The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Level II Audit includes an in-depth identification and documentation of a building’s energy and water-use equipment, by examining existing conditions to pinpoint potential areas of improvement for energy and water efficiency. A building must meet or exceed ASHRAE Level II standards to comply.

RETRO-COMMISSIONING REPORT (RCx)

The report creates a schedule of maintenance and repairs (i.e. “tune-ups”) for existing building systems (energy and water). The owner does not have to utilize these options to comply with the ordinance. The owner must only be informed that such options and incentives exist.

ENERGY EXEMPTIONS

Buildings must meet one of the following requirements to be exempt:

1. ENERGY STAR Certification for the building’s compliance year (CY). Requires ENERGY STAR score greater than 75.
2. ENERGY STAR Certification for two of the three years preceding the building’s compliance year. Requires ENERGY STAR score greater than 75.
3. For property types not eligible to receive an ENERGY STAR score, the building must perform 25% better than the national median of similar building types.
4. The building has reduced its Source Energy Use Intensity (EUI) by 15% when compared to the five years before a building’s compliance due date.
5. A building that does not have a central cooling system or has a cooling system having an aggregate input capacity of less than 100 refrigeration tons (1,200,000 Btu/h) and has completed four of six prescribed measures within the five-year Phase II compliance cycle, in accordance with Title 24, and permitted when required.
6. The building is new and has been occupied for less than five years based on the Temporary or Final Certificate of Occupancy.
7. The tenant pays the energy and water bills as specified in Section 91.9704.

WATER EXEMPTIONS

Buildings must meet one of the following requirements to be exempt:

1. The building has reduced its Water Use Intensity by at least 20% when compared to the five years prior to the building’s compliance due date.
2. A building with no central cooling system or a cooling system that does not operate by the consumption of water as part of the cooling process and has installed two of the three prescribed measures within the five-year Phase II compliance cycle, in accordance with Title 24, and permitted when required.
3. The building’s water use conforms to the LA Municipal and Title 24 Code in effect at any time during the five-year compliance cycle.
4. The building is new and has been occupied for less than five years based on the Temporary or Final Certificate of Occupancy.
5. The tenant pays the energy and water bills as specified in Section 91.9704.

LA EBEWE violations will result in a $202 non-compliance fee. Payment of this fine does not constitute compliance. The building will remain out of compliance with the City of Los Angeles and will be subject to further legal action.

Additionally, the compliance status of each building is posted publicly and may be recorded on the property as an open violation in the future.

CONTACT US HERE to learn more and get started with compliance.

LA EBEWE compliance can be confusing and hard to navigate. Bringing on a consultant like Green Econome streamlines the entire process while ensuring accurate reporting. We also offer free consultations with our benchmarking clients to review the reports and identify inefficiencies to improve.

Ordinances such as LA EBEWE are already in effect across the country, and deadlines are rapidly approaching. Retrieving historical building data will take time, especially when coordinating with property managers and utilities.

Waiting until the last minute risks missing compliance windows resulting in fines and enforcement penalties. Green Econome takes every measure to ensure complete and accurate data collection. The sooner you reach out, the sooner you will reach compliance.