Tag: ENERGY STAR Benchmarking

Events

January 10, 2024 CREW Connections Lunch & Learn

January 4, 2024

CREW Orange County and Green Econome present Connections 2024 Outlook Lunch and Learn

Please join us on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, for lunch, learning, and networking at Tangram Interiors‘ beautiful space in Newport Beach. Green Econome CEO, Marika Erdely will be discussing:

  • What you need to know about energy and water disclosure laws for existing buildings.
  • Critical insight into ESG and its impact on commercial real estate.
  • Available utility incentives and tax benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act for new development, renovations, and efficiency upgrades.

Space is limited. Registration is required and closes on January 9, 2024 at noon. We hope to see you there!

CREW Connections 2024 Outlook Lunch and Learn

Wednesday, January 10th
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Tangram Interiors
1375 Dove Street, Suite 300
Newport Beach, CA 92660

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Energy Policy

Berkeley Building Energy Savings Ordinance (BESO)

January 1, 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DOWNLOAD BERKELEY BESO BROCHURE
EXEMPTIONS FROM BENCHMARKING
ENFORCEMENT
PHASE II REQUIREMENTS
EXEMPTIONS FROM ASSESSMENTS
GET STARTED WITH GREEN ECONOME
COMPLIANCE GUIDE

WHAT IS THE BERKELEY BUILDING ENERGY SAVING ORDINANCE (BESO)?

The Berkeley Building Energy Saving Ordinance (BESO) requires building owners and homeowners to complete and publicly report comprehensive energy assessments of their building’s energy performance and opportunities for improvement. The assessments are conducted by registered energy assessors who provide tailored recommendations on how to save energy, eliminate fossil fuels, and link building owners to incentive programs for energy efficiency and electrification upgrades. 

BESO PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Policy

BESO

Bill Text

CLIMATE ACTION PLAN

Enforcing Agency

CITY OF BERKELEY

Size of Property

 > 15,000 SQ. FT. (BENCHMARKING)
 850 – 24,999 SQ. FT. (ASSESSMENT AT LISTING)
> 25,000 SQ. FT. (ASSESSMENT EVERY 5 YRS)

Property Type

COMMERCIAL, MULTIFAMILY, & MIXED USE

Required Information

12 MONTHS ENERGY AND BUILDING USE DATA

Phase II Building Performance
Standards

ENERGY ASSESSMENTS

Benchmarking Due Date

JULY 1 ANNUALLY

DOWNLOAD BERKELEY BESO BROCHURE

EXEMPTIONS FROM BENCHMARKING (Energy Assessment still required)

The following options defer or exempt submission of energy benchmarking data for a calendar year. For buildings over 50,000 Sq. Ft, the City will report these deferrals and exemptions to the State to satisfy AB802
requirements. An energy assessment is still required.

  • Data Unavailable Deferral.
  • Controlled Environments Exemption.

BESO ENFORCEMENT

$85 administrative late fee. After 90-day notice, citation penalties range from $100 – $500 per violation, per day.

PHASE II ENERGY ASSESMENT REQUIREMENT

Phase II of the Berkeley Building Energy Savings Ordinance (BESO) requires energy assessments.

For buildings 850-24,999 sq ft, before listing your building for sale, you must hire a qualified assessor to complete an energy assessment and report, and provide it to the City and prospective buyers. Alternatively, sellers may defer the BESO assessment requirement to the buyer. 

For buildings 25,000 sq ft and larger, owners must submit energy reports every five years and energy benchmarks annually to comply with the Building Emissions Saving Ordinance (BESO). Some buildings qualify for exemptions or deferrals; refer to the summary document for details. Collect verification documentation, such as your EnergyStar report or building permit, to submit with your application. 

GET STARTED WITH PHASE II

EXEMPTIONS FROM ASSESSMENTS (Annual Benchmarking still required)

The following options defer submission of an energy assessment for that reporting cycle. Annual energy use benchmarking is still required.

  • High Performance Exemption. 
  • Deferral for Long-Term Tenancy under Rent Control.
  • Deferral for New Construction or Extensive Renovation.
  • Low Energy Use Deferral.

AS BENCHMARKING CONSULTANTS AND ESG REPORTING EXPERTS, WE WILL WORK WITH YOU TO DEVELOP A BUILDING PERFORMANCE BASELINE FOR COMPLIANCE

The first step to Berkeley BESO compliance is benchmarking. Green Econome takes an accurate, efficient, and comprehensive approach to ENERGY STAR® benchmarking that ensures you receive meaningful data about the performance of your building. Upon completing your report we submit it to the city and verify your compliance status.

CONTACT US

ENERGY STAR®
BENCHMARKING

Accurate benchmarking and ESG reporting establishes a building performance baseline for compliance

LEARN MORE

ENERGY & WATER AUDITS

On-site building audits uncover opportunities for operational efficiencies which improve property performance

LEARN MORE

BUILDING CERTIFICATIONS

Achieve ESG goals and attract sustainable investment with green building certifications

LEARN MORE

Energy Policy

Brisbane Building Efficiency Program (BBEP)

December 30, 2023
COMPLIANCE GUIDE

WHAT IS THE BRISBANE BUILDING EFFICIENCY PROGRAM (BBEP)?

The city launched the Brisbane Building Efficiency Program (BBEP) to address energy and water use in existing buildings to help make them more efficient, thereby saving owners money, improving the safety and comfort of building stock, and reducing emissions that are driving climate change.   

DOWNLOAD BRISBANE BBEP BROCHURE

BBEP PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Policy

BUILDING EFFICIENCY PROGRAM

Bill Text

ORDINANCE

Enforcing Agency

CITY OF BRISBANE, CA

Size of Property

10,000 SQ. FT. AND ABOVE

Property Type

COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, MULTIFAMILY BUILDINGS

Required Information

12 MONTHS ENERGY AND BUILDING USE DATA

Phase II Building Performance
Standards Compliance

YES, BEYOND REQUIREMENTS

Enforcement

$100-$500 FINES

BBEP ORDINANCE DEADLINES

PHASE I – BENCHMARKING DISCLOSURE

May 15 – Annually

PHASE II – BUILDING PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

May 15, 2023 (Commercial) 

May 15, 2024 (Multifamily, Industrial) 

*Every 5 years 

EXEMPTIONS FROM BBEP BENCHMARKING

  • If a Certificate of Occupancy or Temporary Certificate of Occupancy for the building was not issued for more than half of the calendar year required to be benchmarked. 
  • If the building were vacant for more than half of the calendar year required to be benchmarked. 
  • If the building did not receive energy or water services for more than half of the calendar year required to be benchmarked. 
  • If a demolition permit for the entire building has been issued. 

PROGRAM ENFORCEMENT

Failure to comply may subject the owner to non-compliance fees as specified in Section 1.16 the Brisbane Municipal Code which can administer fines of $100 to $500 for violations.

PHASE II BUILDING PERFORMANCE STANDARDS REQUIREMENTS

The BEYOND requirements of the Brisbane Building Efficiency Program aim to help inefficient buildings improve their energy and water usage and reward high-performing ones. The cycle operates on a 5-year cycle and is separate from the BBEP annual benchmarking report. To meet the Beyond requirements of the Brisbane Building Efficiency Program, buildings must show that they are high-performing (Performance Path) or take steps to improve (Prescriptive Path). 

PERSCRIPTIVE PATH

Conduct an audit under the supervision of a Qualified Auditor and prepare an audit report for the year 1 deadline.

For the year 3 deadline, you must decide which action you will take to improve your building and provide an update to BBEP staff. Options include:

  • Green Lease
  • RCx (Retro Commissioning)
  • Improvement Measures

For the year 5 deadline, you must submit all relevant forms, documents, and reports signed by Qualified Professionals.

PERFORMANCE PATH

Verify that your building meets the qualifications for high performance for both energy and water and prepare performance verification report for the year 1 deadline.

For the year 3 deadline, you must decide which action you will take to improve your building and provide an update to BBEP staff. Options include:

  • Green Lease
  • RCx (Retro Commissioning)
  • Improvement Measures

For the year 5 deadline, you must submit all relevant forms, documents, and reports signed by Qualified Professionals.

Meeting exemptions can save up to 65% off the cost of a full ASHRAE Level II Audit/RCx Report. If you need benchmarking performed or an evaluation of your existing benchmarking report, please contact us right away.

CONTACT US

AS BENCHMARKING CONSULTANTS AND ESG REPORTING EXPERTS, WE WILL WORK WITH YOU TO DEVELOP A BUILDING PERFORMANCE BASELINE FOR COMPLIANCE

Green Econome takes an accurate, efficient, and comprehensive approach to ENERGY STAR® benchmarking that ensures you receive meaningful data about the performance of your building for disclosure compliance, ESG reporting, green loans, auditing, or whatever your project needs may be. Our property use details and utility data collection, review, and verification process leads to complete benchmarking.

CONTACT US
Chula Vista Benchmarking Ordinance
Energy Policy

Chula Vista Building Energy Saving Ordinance (BESO)

December 1, 2023
COMPLIANCE GUIDE

WHAT IS THE CHULA VISTA BUILDING ENERGY SAVING ORDINANCE (BESO)?

The Chula Vista Building Energy Saving Ordinance (BESO), is a citywide energy benchmarking & building performance program requiring owners of existing commercial and multifamily buildings to report energy use annually, using ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager®, meet building performance standards every 5 years, and demonstrate improvements every 10 years.

DOWNLOAD CHULA VISTA BESO BROCHURE

BESO PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Policy

CITY OF CHULA VISTA CLIMATE ACTION PLAN

Bill Text

CHULA VISTA BUILDING ENERGY SAVING ORDINANCE

Enforcing Agency

CITY OF CHULA VISTA

Size of Property

20,000 SQ. FT. AND ABOVE

Property Type

COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, MULTIFAMILY BUILDINGS

Required Information

12 MONTHS ENERGY AND BUILDING USE DATA

Phase II Building Performance
Standards Compliance

YES

Fees

N/A

BESO ORDINANCE DEADLINES

PHASE I – BENCHMARKING DISCLOSURE

May 20 – Annually

PHASE II – BUILDING PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
CONSERVATION REQUIREMENT COMPLIANCE DUE DATE 50,000+ SQ.FT. COMPLIANCE DUE DATE 20,000-49,999 SQ.FT.
Commercial Buildings Performance Targets / A/RCx Every five (5) years beginning
2023 or later. Schedule TBD.		 Every five (5) years beginning
2026 or later. Schedule TBD.
Commercial Buildings Min. Improvement Requirements Every ten (10) years beginning
2028 or later. Schedule TBD.		 Every ten (10) years beginning
2031 or later. Schedule TBD.
Multifamily Prescriptive
Upgrades		 2023 or later, schedule TBD. 2023 or later, schedule TBD.

EXEMPTIONS FROM BENCHMARKING

  1. No/temporary certificate of occupancy for more than half of the reporting calendar year.
  2. The building is scheduled to be demolished one year or less from the reporting date.
  3. The building is under financial distress.
  4. The building does not receive energy or water service.
  5. Disclosure of energy usage data would result in the release of proprietary information covered by applicable privacy law(s).

PROGRAM ENFORCEMENT

Failure to comply with this law results in a notification and a 60-day window. If a building owner/agent does not submit the report within that time, they are subject to fines of up to $2,250 on a per-incident basis, with the amount based on the building’s gross floor area (GFA).

PHASE II BUILDING PERFORMANCE STANDARDS REQUIREMENTS

Phase II consists of conservation requirements every five (5) years, and demonstrating minimum improvements every ten (10) years. The requirements are categorized between multifamily and commercial building types.

COMMERCIAL

CONSERVATION REQUIREMENTS

Buildings must meet either the Performance Targets or the Audit Requirement every 5 years, and the Minimum Improvement requirement every 10 years.

LEARN MORE

MULTIFAMILY

PRESCRIPTIVE MEASURES

Buildings built prior to 2006 must perform prescribed measures. Properties with Significant Common Load are subject to Commercial Conservation Requirements.

LEARN MORE

Meeting exemptions can save up to 65% off the cost of a full ASHRAE Level II Audit/RCx Report. If you need benchmarking performed or an evaluation of your existing benchmarking report, please contact us right away.

CONTACT US

COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES: CONSERVATION REQUIREMENT DETAIL

High Performing Buildings are exempt from all requirements. All other covered commercial buildings must demonstrate energy reductions that meet or exceed Performance Targets, and submit an ASHRAE Level I or higher energy audit and retro-commissioning report (A/RCx).

EXEMPTIONS

Buildings must meet one of the following requirements to be exempt from both the 5-year Performance Targets and the 10-year Minimum Improvement Requirement:

  1. HIGH PERFORMANCE BUILDING:
    • Submit a benchmarking report for the most recent compliance deadline AND meet any of the following:
    • ENERGY STAR score of 80 or greater
    • Achieved ENERGY STAR certification
    • Achieved LEED Existing Building Certification for three (3) of five (5) preceding years
  2. The Property has been occupied for less than five (5) years
  3. The Property is in Financial Distress
  4. A demolition permit for the entire Property has been issued and demolition work has commenced
  5. The Property is not subject to the Benchmarking Requirement
CONSERVATION REQUIREMENT DETAIL

Non-residential buildings, and multifamily buildings with Significant Common Load which do not meet any of the above exemptions must:

EVERY FIVE (5) YEARS

  • Meet or exceed the Improvement Target % (see chart below) by reducing energy use compared to the baseline ENERGY STAR score or EUI equivalent, within the 5-year compliance window. OR;
  • If the building does not meet or exceed the Improvement Target %, An ASHRAE Level I or higher energy Audit and Retro-commissioning (A/RCx) report must be conducted and submitted to the City.

EVERY TEN (10) YEARS

  • Meet or exceed the Mandatory Minimum Improvement (see chart below) by reducing energy use compared to the previous (5-year) baseline ENERGY STAR score or EUI equivalent.

[su_table alternate=”no”]

BASELINE ENERGY STAR SCORE / EQUIVALENT SITE EUI-WN 5-YEAR IMPROVEMENT TARGET 10-YEAR MANDATORY IMPROVEMENT
1-45 / 80+ 30% 15%
46-65 / 51-79 20% 10%
66-79 / 19-50 10% Exempt
80+ / 0-18 Exempt Exempt

[/su_table]

MULTIFAMILY PROPERTIES: CONSERVATION REQUIREMENT DETAIL

High Performing Buildings are exempt from all requirements. All other covered multifamily buildings must meet the prescriptive measures requirement by their first 5-year deadline. Additionally, buildings with Significant Common Load (10,000+ Sq. Ft. master metered, or shared common meter/load) are subject to the Conservation Requirements outlined above for commercial properties.

EXEMPTIONS

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

  1. HIGH PERFORMANCE BUILDING:
    • Submit a benchmarking report for the most recent compliance deadline AND meet any of the following:
    • ENERGY STAR score of 80 or greater
    • Achieved ENERGY STAR certification
    • Achieved LEED Existing Building Certification for three (3) of five (5) preceding years
  2. The Property has been occupied for less than five (5) years
  3. The Property is in Financial Distress
  4. A demolition permit for the entire Property has been issued and demolition work has commenced
  5. The Property is not subject to the Benchmarking Requirement
PRESCRIPTIVE MEASURES DETAIL

Multifamily Residential Properties constructed prior to 2006 must perform the minimum number of energy efficiency upgrades, or ‘measures’ required in the table below, within all tenant spaces where utility costs are borne by tenants. Owners may choose from a prescribed list of applicable measures. Efficiency measures already in place, or not included on the list count toward satisfying the minimum number of measures.

[su_table alternate=”no”]

YEAR BUILT        CLIMATE ZONE 7*  CLIMATE ZONE 10* 
Pre-1978 Choose four (4) Measures Chose five (5) Measures
1978 – 1991 Choose three (3) Measures Chose five (5) Measures
1992 – 2005 Choose two (2) Measures Chose five (5) Measures

[/su_table]

* Chula Vista Climate Zone Map

PRESCRIPTIVE MEASURE LIST SAMPLE
  • Attic Insulation
  • Air Sealing
  • Cool Roof
  • Duct Sealing
  • LED Lighting
  • Water Heating Package
  • Heat Pump Water Heater Replacement
  • HVAC Replacement
  • Windows

GREEN ECONOME PHASE II (A/RCx) PROCESS

    1. Evaluate the Phase I benchmarking report(s) for the building’s least-cost path to Phase II compliance (or complete benchmarking, if annual disclosure hasn’t been met).
    2. Provide Phase II proposals for applicable services.
    3. Upon signed agreement, fulfill Phase II services, submit compliance requirements to the City, and provide reports to the building owner/representative.

AS BENCHMARKING CONSULTANTS AND ESG REPORTING EXPERTS, WE WILL WORK WITH YOU TO DEVELOP A BUILDING PERFORMANCE BASELINE FOR COMPLIANCE

Green Econome takes an accurate, efficient, and comprehensive approach to ENERGY STAR® benchmarking that ensures you receive meaningful data about the performance of your building for disclosure compliance, ESG reporting, green loans, auditing, or whatever your project needs may be. Our property use details and utility data collection, review, and verification process leads to complete benchmarking.

CONTACT US
San Deigo Benchmarking
Energy Policy

San Diego Building Energy Benchmarking Ordinance (BEBO)

November 1, 2023
COMPLIANCE GUIDE

WHAT IS THE SAN DIEGO BUILDING ENERGY BENCHMARKING ORDINANCE (BEBO)?

The City of San Diego Building Energy Benchmarking Ordinance (BEBO), is a citywide energy benchmarking & disclosure program requiring owners of existing commercial and multifamily buildings to report energy use annually, using ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager®. This program provides building owners insight into their building’s energy efficiency and helps meet the City of San Diego’s Climate Action Plan goals.

DOWNLOAD SAN DIEGO BEBO BROCHURE

BEBO PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Policy

CITY OF SAN DIEGO CLIMATE ACTION PLAN

Bill Text

SAN DIEGO BUILDING ENERGY BENCHMARKING ORDINANCE

Enforcing Agency

CITY OF SAN DIEGO

Due Date

JUNE 1, ANNUALLY

Size of Property

50,000 SQ. FT. AND ABOVE

Property Type

COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, MULTIFAMILY BUILDINGS

Required Information

12 MONTHS ENERGY AND BUILDING USE DATA

Phase II Building Performance
Standards Compliance

NO

Fees

N/A

PROGRAM ENFORCEMENT

San Diego has not initiated any fines or penalties at this time. As of January 2022, the city is working on initiating non-compliance penalties starting next reporting year, which will most likely apply to previous non-compliance years.

EXEMPTIONS FROM BENCHMARKING

  1. No/temporary certificate of occupancy for more than half of the reporting calendar year.
  2. The building is scheduled to be demolished one year or less from the reporting date.
  3. Condominium complexes.
  4. When more than half of the gross floor area of a building is used for scientific experiments requiring controlled environments, or for manufacturing with production lines or industrial purposes.

WHAT IS BENCHMARKING?

ENERGY STAR benchmarking measures a building’s efficiency performance by calculating its energy/water, and property use data, then compares those metrics to similar buildings in the EPA’s software. The building may receive an ENERGY STAR score from 1-100, with 100 being the most energy efficient. Eligible building types with a score over 75 may be eligible for ENERGY STAR Certification.

WHY EXISTING BUILDINGS?

Existing buildings are the second-largest source of GHG emissions in California. Identifying energy and water inefficiencies in our buildings provides valuable insights. The chosen method of identifying and analyzing this data is through local and state-mandated Energy Benchmarking and Performance Reporting. Below are key points for meeting energy disclosure requirements:

  • The owner of the building is the responsible party.
  • Benchmarking disclosure is required annually.
  • “Covered or disclosable buildings” are the building types that need to comply.
  • When you comply with your local benchmarking ordinance, the city shares the data with the state, placing you in AB 802 compliance as well.
  • Benchmarking provides insight into how efficient or inefficient your building is operating. Efficient buildings provide for lower operating costs and higher market valuations.
  • The State of California only requires annual energy disclosure; however, some cities also require buildings to become energy efficient or meet building performance standards.

5 TIPS FOR BENCHMARKING COMPLIANCE

  1. Hire Green Econome to complete your energy and water compliance and energy efficiency consulting. We have benchmarked over 2,000 commercial, industrial, and multifamily buildings. We place emphasis on accurately measuring your data, rather than meeting the bare minimum for compliance. It is not only the legal thing to do, but also more economic in the long run. The data in your benchmarking report is valuable to the operation and investment of your property, and the basis of your performance and/or ESG reporting.
  2. Add tenant authorization to your lease to release energy and water use data from the utilities. In some cases where the tenants are the electric/gas/water account holder, they are required to sign a utility authorization to share their usage data. As you can imagine, collecting this is time-consuming and not always successful. In lieu of the authorization, we can submit a copy of the lease if it includes authorization language.
  3. Create an energy efficiency budget. The Better Buildings Financing Navigator outlines common barriers, solutions, and options for energy financing. Energy ordinances are all-for-none if building owners and operators do not invest in reduction goals. Visit our case studies for examples of the cost savings you can achieve through efficiency projects.
  4. Leverage available rebates and incentives. In addition to outside funding and loans, there are robust programs for energy efficiency and clean power through utilities, local and federal government. Green Econome calculates available rebates & incentives savings into our estimates and/or audit reports.
  5. Put your data to work. Use monthly data to track your energy & water use in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. Demonstrating energy and water reductions through the benchmarking tool in some cities is a path to performance compliance or a requirement for ESG strategies that the building owner or tenant company has in place. Either way, you now have a powerful tool that tracks your ongoing use, so take advantage of it. Green Econome includes benchmarking consultations to assess your building’s performance and identify problem areas or opportunities for savings.

AS BENCHMARKING CONSULTANTS AND ESG REPORTING EXPERTS, WE WILL WORK WITH YOU TO DEVELOP A BUILDING PERFORMANCE BASELINE FOR COMPLIANCE

Green Econome takes an accurate, efficient, and comprehensive approach to ENERGY STAR® benchmarking that ensures you receive meaningful data about the performance of your building for disclosure compliance, ESG reporting, green loans, auditing, or whatever your project needs may be. Our property use details and utility data collection, review, and verification process leads to complete benchmarking.

CONTACT US
Energy Policy

San Francisco Building Energy Savings Ordinance (BESO)

October 20, 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DOWNLOAD SAN FRANCISCO BROCHURE
EXEMPTIONS FROM BENCHMARKING
ENFORCEMENT
PHASE II REQUIREMENTS
GET STARTED WITH GREEN ECONOME
COMPLIANCE GUIDE

WHAT IS THE SAN FRANCISCO BUILDING ENERGY SAVING ORDINANCE?

The City of San Francisco Building Energy Ordinance applies to non-residential buildings with gross floor area of 10,000 square feet or more and residential buildings 50,000 square feet or larger. All buildings are required to benchmark energy use; for commercial buildings the ordinance also requires an energy audit or a plan to reduce carbon emissions. A separate ordinance, the San Francisco Environment Code Chapter 30 (Ordinance 220-19) requires large commercial buildings to obtain all electricity from 100% renewable sources.  

DOWNLOAD SAN FRANCISCO BROCHURE

SAN FRANCISCO PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Policy

EXISTING BUILDINGS ENERGY ORDINANCE

Bill Text

ORDINANCE SPECIFICS

Enforcing Agency

CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO

Size of Property

 > 10,000 SQ. FT. (NON-RESIDENTIAL)
 > 50,000 SQ. FT. (MULTIFAMILY)

Property Type

COMMERCIAL & MULTIFAMILY

Required Information

12 MONTHS ENERGY AND BUILDING USE DATA

Phase II Building Performance
Standards

ENERGY AUDIT AND RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY

Benchmarking Due Date

MAY 1, ANNUALLY

EXEMPTIONS FROM BENCHMARKING

  • The building has been sold and it is not possible to obtain complete energy use data for a year. 
  • There was a tenant turnover in the building.  
  • The building is vacant for prior calendar year.  
  • The building is less than 10,000 sq ft.
  • The building has written approval from a city agency to be demolished. 

BENCHMARKING ENFORCEMENT

For buildings of 50,000 square feet and greater, up to $100.00 per day for a maximum of 25 days in one twelve-month period for each building in violation. For buildings of 49,999 square feet or less, up to $50.00 per day for a maximum of 25 days in one twelve-month period for each building in violation.

PHASE II AUDIT REQUIREMENTS

Energy audit is required every 5 years for commercial buildings.  

Each owner of a non-residential building must ensure the building receives an energy audit by a qualified energy professional every five years. The professional must hold one of the qualifications approved by the Department of Environment, and must examine the entire building including tenant-occupied spaces. An audit provides specific, actionable recommendations to save money by saving energy in the building, as well as rebates that may be available.    

RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE:

100% Renewable Electricity for Commercial Buildings Ordinance: 

San Francisco requires commercial buildings of 50,000 square feet or more to obtain all electricity from 100% renewable sources. The easiest way to comply is by subscribing to: CleanPowerSF SuperGreen, SFPUC Hetch Hetchy Power, or PG&E’s Solar Choice program. Direct Access electric service can comply. 

Deadlines are based on the size of the building: 

Commercial Building Size  Must Transition to 

Renewable Electricity by 

 Documentation of Compliance 

Will Be Due 
500,000 gross sq ft 

or greater 

 December 31, 2022  April 2023 
250,000 gross sq ft 

or greater 

 December 31, 2024  April 2025 
50,000 gross sq ft 

or greater 

 December 31, 2030  April 2031 

 

GET STARTED WITH PHASE II

AS BENCHMARKING CONSULTANTS AND ESG REPORTING EXPERTS, WE WILL WORK WITH YOU TO DEVELOP A BUILDING PERFORMANCE BASELINE FOR COMPLIANCE

The first step to the San Francisco Building Energy Savings Ordinance (SF BESO) compliance is benchmarking. Green Econome takes an accurate, efficient, and comprehensive approach to ENERGY STAR® benchmarking that ensures you receive meaningful data about the performance of your building for BESO disclosure. Upon completing your report we submit it to the city and verify your compliance status.

CONTACT US

ENERGY STAR®
BENCHMARKING

Accurate benchmarking and ESG reporting establishes a building performance baseline for compliance

LEARN MORE

ENERGY & WATER AUDITS

On-site building audits uncover opportunities for operational efficiencies which improve property performance

LEARN MORE

BUILDING CERTIFICATIONS

Achieve ESG goals and attract sustainable investment with green building certifications

LEARN MORE

5 Reasons for Clean Energy Action image
News

5 Reasons for Clean Energy Action Now

October 4, 2023

During National Clean Energy Action Month, take steps toward climate action for your commercial real estate.

Since our inception, the U.S. EPA’s ENERGY STAR® programs have been at the core of Green Econome’s services to help our customers save energy, save money, and protect the planet. As a commercial real estate owner or manager, you have the power to make a positive impact on the environment and your bottom line. October is National Clean Energy Action Month, a perfect time to take action and implement energy-efficient practices in your buildings. One of the best ways to start is through ENERGY STAR benchmarking and certification.

ENERGY STAR is a program by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that helps businesses and individuals save money and protect the environment by promoting energy-efficient products and practices. Through benchmarking, you can compare your building’s energy performance to similar buildings and identify areas for improvement. Certification, on the other hand, recognizes buildings that meet strict energy efficiency standards and have lower energy costs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. By using ENERGY STAR benchmarking and certification, you can reap numerous benefits for your buildings and your business.

Top 5 Reasons for Clean Energy Action

Comply with Local and State Energy Benchmarking and Building Performance Policy

Cities and states nationwide are adopting climate action plans, which in many cases include annual ENERGY STAR benchmarking to track energy and water use and building performance standards to reduce GHG emissions across their existing building stock. Often ENERGY STAR certification is an exemption from having to perform costly audits, retro-commissioning, and efficiency improvements.

Lower Energy Costs

Energy-efficient buildings consume less energy and therefore have lower energy bills. According to ENERGY STAR, certified buildings use 35% less energy and emit 35% less carbon dioxide than typical buildings. By benchmarking your building’s energy performance, you can identify ways to reduce energy waste and save money in the long run.

Higher Property Value

ENERGY STAR certification is a badge of honor that can increase your building’s value and appeal to potential tenants or buyers. Certified buildings are more attractive to environmentally conscious tenants who prefer to work or live in sustainable spaces. Moreover, building certifications are being used as ESG targets and requirements by tenant companies, REITs, and investment firms.

Improved Indoor Comfort

Energy-efficient buildings are not only good for the environment and your wallet, but also for the health and comfort of occupants. By reducing energy waste, you can improve indoor air quality, reduce noise levels, and enhance thermal comfort. This can result in higher productivity, better health outcomes, and happier occupants.

Positive Public Relations

Implementing energy-efficient practices and achieving ENERGY STAR certification can improve your business’s public image and reputation. You can promote your achievements to your stakeholders, customers, and the media, and showcase your commitment to sustainability and energy conservation.

Join us this month in celebrating the progress made, and more importantly, taking steps to further the clean energy transition needed to sustain our future. Take a moment, gather your team, and discuss with purpose what changes and goals you can commit to in 2024 and beyond. When you have the vision, take action. Call (424) 422-9696 or Contact Us. Talk to you soon!

About Green Econome

Green Econome is a woman-owned, small business providing energy and water efficiency compliance, consulting, and construction services for commercial real estate. Our Los Angeles-based team of licensed and credentialed professionals takes an integrated approach to finding efficiency solutions that positively affect market valuations, reduce environmental impact, meet ESG and sustainability goals, and ensure regulatory compliance.

CONACT US
Green Econome Earns 2023 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award
News Recognition

Green Econome Earns 2023 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award

March 28, 2023

Santa Monica, CA (March 28, 2023)—Green Econome is proud to announce that it has received the 2023 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Marika Erdely, Founder and CEO of Green Econome states, “Receiving this recognition for our partnership with the EPA and ENERGY STAR program is a significant milestone for our organization. Green Econome was founded to meet the demand for ENERGY STAR benchmarking as local and state energy disclosure laws were put into place over a decade ago. Green Econome is celebrating ten years of compliance services, so earning 2023 Partner of the Year is that much sweeter. We have benchmarked nearly 2,000 properties and pride ourselves on being a leader in accurate reporting and industry expertise. We wholeheartedly invest in ENERGY STAR as a trusted platform that we lean into for benchmarking, building certifications, and now GHG emissions metrics, data management for our client’s ESG goals, and driving reduction targets.”

“As we accelerate historic efforts to address climate change, public-private partnerships will be essential to realizing the scale of our ambition,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “I applaud this year’s ENERGY STAR award winners for working with EPA to deliver a clean energy future that saves American consumers and businesses money and creates jobs.”

Each year, the ENERGY STAR program honors a select group of businesses and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the transition to a clean energy economy. ENERGY STAR award winners lead their industries in the production, sale, and adoption of energy-efficient products, homes, buildings, services, and strategies. These efforts are essential to fighting the climate crisis, protecting public health, and creating a clean energy future for everyone.

Winners are selected from a network of thousands of ENERGY STAR partners. Visit Green Econome’s profile page, or for a complete list of 2023 winners and more information about ENERGY STAR’s awards program, visit energystar.gov/awardwinners.

About Green Econome

Green Econome is a woman-owned, small business providing energy and water efficiency compliance, consulting, and construction services for commercial real estate. Our Los Angeles-based team of licensed and credentialed professionals takes an integrated approach to finding efficiency solutions that positively affect market valuations, reduce environmental impact, meet ESG and sustainability goals, and ensure regulatory compliance.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions. Thousands of industrial, commercial, utility, state, and local organizations rely on their partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deliver cost-saving energy efficiency solutions. Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners helped American families and businesses avoid more than $500 billion in energy costs and achieve more than 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions. More background information about ENERGY STAR’s impacts can be found at www.energystar.gov/impacts.

Media Contact:

Karalyn Honea
karalyn@greeneconome.com

San Jose CA Building Performance Ordinance
Energy Policy

San José Building Performance Ordinance (BPO)

February 16, 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DOWNLOAD SAN JOSÉ BPO BROCHURE
EXEMPTIONS FROM BENCHMARKING
PHASE II BUILDING PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
BEYOND BENCHMARKING COMPLIANCE SCHEDULE
PERFORMANCE PATHWAY DETAIL
IMPROVEMENT PATHWAY DETAIL
GREEN ECONOME PHASE II PROCESS
GET STARTED
COMPLIANCE GUIDE

WHAT IS THE SAN JOSÉ BUILDING PERFORMANCE ORDINANCE (BPO)?

The San Jose Energy and Water Building Performance Ordinance (BPO), is a citywide energy benchmarking & building performance program requiring owners of existing commercial and multifamily buildings to report energy and water use annually, using ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager®, and meet building performance standards on a rolling five-year basis, or perform improvements if standards are not met.

DOWNLOAD SAN JOSÉ BPO BROCHURE

BPO PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Policy

CLIMATE SMART SAN JOSÉ

Bill Text

SAN JOSÉ BUILDING PERFORMANCE ORDINANCE

Enforcing Agency

CITY OF SAN JOSÉ

Size of Property

20,000 SQ. FT. AND ABOVE

Property Type

COMMERCIAL, MULTIFAMILY BUILDINGS

Required Information

12 MONTHS ENERGY, WATER, AND BUILDING USE DATA

Phase II Building Performance
Standards

BEYOND BENCHMARKING PROGRAM

Due Date

MAY 1, ANNUALLY

Fees

$150 (City of San José) Annual Benchmarking Submission Fee
TBD (City of San José) Beyond Benchmarking Submission Fee

EXEMPTIONS FROM BENCHMARKING

  1. The building meets certain use types, as determined by the city.
  2. The building is in financial distress, as determined by the city.
  3. Disclosure of usage data would result in the release of proprietary information, violating privacy rights under applicable laws.
  4. The building was unoccupied during the reporting year, or demolition commenced on, or before the compliance deadline.

A full list of exemptions can be found on the City’s Exemption Request Form.

PROGRAM ENFORCEMENT

Failure to comply with annual benchmarking may incur a monetary penalty from $25-$50/day of non-compliance, up to $5,000 per calendar year.

PHASE II BUILDING PERFORMANCE STANDARDS 

Phase II, ‘Beyond Benchmarking’ is due every 5 years, starting May 1, 2023. Covered buildings will be required to demonstrate satisfactory building efficiency (Performance Pathway) OR improvement standards (Improvement Pathway). Due dates are phased in based on Sq. Ft. and the last digit of the APN. See the compliance schedule table below.

OPTION 1

PERFORMANCE PATHWAY

For properties that can meet energy and/or water Key Performance Standards. This step requires data verification of benchmarking reports by a licensed professional and the submission of a Performance Verification Report.

LEARN MORE

OPTION 2

IMPROVEMENT PATHWAY

For properties unable to meet energy and/or water Key Performance Standards, the owner must implement one of three actions for each, and submit corresponding report(s) from a CA-licensed professional.

LEARN MORE

BEYOND BENCHMARKING COMPLIANCE SCHEDULE

Covered buildings are required to comply with Phase II performance requirements starting on the initial due dates below, with subsequent compliance due dates due every five (5) years thereafter.

LAST DIGIT OF APN FIRST DUE DATE ≥ 50,000+ SQ.FT FIRST DUE DATE 20K-49,999+ SQ.FT
0 May 1, 2023 May 1, 2024
1 May 1, 2023 May 1, 2024
2 May 1, 2024 May 1, 2025
3 May 1, 2024 May 1, 2025
4 May 1, 2025 May 1, 2026
5 May 1, 2025 May 1, 2026
6 May 1, 2026 May 1, 2027
7 May 1, 2026 May 1, 2027
8 May 1, 2027 May 1, 2028
9 May 1, 2027 May 1, 2028

BEYOND BENCHMARKING EXEMPTIONS

All exemption requests must be submitted via the City of San José webform by April 1, prior to the building’s deadline. The following exemptions may qualify:

  1. The building is zoned as exclusively industrial (HI, LI, IP).
  2. The building is under 20,000 Sq. Ft.
WATER EFFICIENCY EXEMPTION

Your covered building may qualify for a water exemption if the building is Residential, under 50,000 Sq. Ft., and not sub-metered for water use.

PERFORMANCE PATHWAY DETAIL

To qualify, buildings must satisfy the following for energy and/or water respectively.

  • Be in full compliance with all years of Phase I benchmarking.
  • Have complete and accurate benchmarking data.
  • Meet one of the following Key Performance Standards for 2 of the 3 years preceding its Beyond Benchmarking deadline:
ENERGY
  • New construction, and occupied for less than five (5) years.
  • LEED™ Existing Buildings O&M v4 Certified.
  • ENERGY STAR® score of 75 or greater.
  • ENERGY STAR® score improvement of 15 points or greater, from the baseline year.
  • Weather Normalized Site Energy Use Intensity (EUI-WN) that is a minimum of 25% below the calculated mean for the property use type.
  • 15% or greater reduction in Site EUI-WN from the baseline year.
WATER
  • Water Use Intensity (WUI) is a minimum of 25% below the locally calculated mean for that property type.
  • WUI reduction by at least 15% from the baseline year.
  • Multifamily Only: US EPA Water Score of 75; or
  • Multifamily Only: US EPA Water Score improvement of 15 points or greater, from the baseline year.
COMPLETION

To complete compliance the building owner/agent must hire a CA-Licensed Professional (as specified by the City’s ordinance, Green Econome is a qualified LP).

  • The LP will review the benchmarking data and sign the Performance Verification Report, verifying that the energy and /or water data is complete and accurate.
  • Submit the Report and form, one per utility (energy and/or water).

IMPROVEMENT PATHWAY DETAIL

For covered buildings that do not meet the Performance Pathway Key Performance Standards for energy and/or water, the property owner/agent must implement one of the following three actions respectively, and submit a corresponding report authorized by a CA Licensed Professional (like Green Econome).

  1. ASHRAE Level II or higher audit, conducted by a Qualified Auditor.
  2. Retrocommissioning (RCx), conducted by a Qualified Retrocommissioning
    Professional.
  3. Install two (2) Targeted Efficiency Improvement Measures, selected from a prescribed list, in accordance with California Building Standards Code Title 24.
COMPLETION

To complete compliance the building owner/agent must hire a CA-Licensed Professional (as specified by the City’s ordinance, Green Econome is a qualified LP).

  • The improvement pathway at a minimum must be planned and contracted with a CA LP by the Beyond Benchmarking deadline. The action must be planned/completed within the 5-year compliance window. No earlier.
  • The LP will conduct the Improvement Pathway, sign the Compliance Report, and provide all documentation to the building owner.

GREEN ECONOME PHASE II PROCESS

    1. Evaluate the Phase I benchmarking report(s) for the building’s least-cost path to Phase II compliance (or complete benchmarking, if annual disclosure hasn’t been met).
    2. Provide Phase II proposals for applicable services.
    3. Upon signed agreement, fulfill Phase II services, submit compliance requirements to the City, and provide reports to the building owner/representative.

AS BENCHMARKING CONSULTANTS AND ESG REPORTING EXPERTS, WE WILL WORK WITH YOU TO DEVELOP A BUILDING PERFORMANCE BASELINE FOR COMPLIANCE

Green Econome takes an accurate, efficient, and comprehensive approach to ENERGY STAR® benchmarking that ensures you receive meaningful data about the performance of your building for disclosure compliance, ESG reporting, green loans, auditing, or whatever your project needs may be. Our property use details and utility data collection, review, and verification process leads to complete benchmarking.

CONTACT US

RELEVANT SERVICES

ENERGY STAR®
BENCHMARKING

Accurate benchmarking and ESG reporting establishes a building performance baseline for compliance

LEARN MORE

ENERGY & WATER AUDITS

On-site building audits uncover opportunities for operational efficiencies which improve property performance

LEARN MORE

BUILDING CERTIFICATIONS

Achieve ESG goals and attract sustainable investment with green building certifications

LEARN MORE

Energy Policy

Boston Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO)

February 16, 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DOWNLOAD BOSTON BERDO BROCHURE
EXEMPTIONS FROM BENCHMARKING
THIRD PARTY VERIFICATION REQUIREMENT
PROGRAM ENFORCEMENT
PHASE II BUILDING PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
EMISSIONS STANDARD COMPLIANCE SCHEDULE
GREEN ECONOME PHASE II PROCESS
GET STARTED
COMPLIANCE GUIDE

WHAT IS THE BOSTON BUILDING EMISSIONS REDUCTION AND DISCLOSURE ORDINANCE (BERDO)?

BERDO is a local law that aims to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions generated by large buildings in Boston. Owners of buildings subject to BERDO are required to report their buildings’ annual energy and water consumption. Starting in either 2025 or 2030, they will also need to comply with building emissions standards (i.e., emissions limits). The emissions standards set by BERDO decrease over time, with all buildings expected to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. 

DOWNLOAD BOSTON BERDO BROCHURE

BERDO PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Policy

BUILDING EMISSIONS REDUCTION AND DISCLOSURE

Bill Text

BERDO ORDINANCE

Enforcing Agency

CITY OF BOSTON ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT

Size of Property

RESIDENTIAL: 15+ UNITS
NON-RESIDENTIAL: 20,000 SQ. FT. AND ABOVE

Property Type

COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL, MULTIFAMILY BUILDINGS

Required Information

12 MONTHS ENERGY, WATER, AND BUILDING USE DATA

Phase II Building Performance
Standards

BUILDING EMISSIONS STANDARD

Benchmarking Due Date

MAY 15, ANNUALLY

Fines for Non-Compliance

BENCHMARKING: $150 – $300/DAY
EMISSION STANDARDS: $300 – $1,000/DAY
ACCURATE REPORTING: $1,000 – $5,000

EXEMPTIONS FROM BERDO BENCHMARKING

Owners with extenuating circumstances may file a request with the Environment Department to report information required by Section 7-2.2 on a basis other than the building. 

THIRD PARTY VERIFICATION REQUIREMENT

As a part of Boston’s Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance, you must hire a third-party qualified energy professional to verify your reported data. Third-party verification is required for the first year of reporting and every “Verification Year” thereafter. Verification Years include: 

  • 2022
  • 2026
  • 2031
  • 2036
  • 2041
  • 2046
  • 2051

BERDO BENCHMARKING PROGRAM ENFORCEMENT

  • $300/day for Residential and Non-Residential Buildings +35 units or > 35,000 sq ft. 
  • $150/day for Non-Residential Buildings > 20,000 sq ft but < 35,000 sq ft or 15+ units but less than 35 units. 

PHASE II BUILDING PERFORMANCE STANDARDS 

In addition to the reporting requirement, every five years, buildings must show they have taken action to reduce their energy use or emissions by 15 percent or conducted a detailed assessment of options to reduce their energy use. In 2019, the first cohort of buildings that began reporting to BERDO are now completing the energy action and assessment requirement.  

Buildings can decrease their emissions by 1) reducing energy use and transitioning away from fossil fuels, 2) using or buying renewable energy, or 3) investing in environmental justice communities through Alternative Compliance Payments. 

OPTION 1: Reduce Energy Use in Building

The most impactful approach you can take is to reduce your building’s overall direct emissions through building retrofits or improvements. This includes: • Upgrading to high efficiency electric appliances • Replacing fossil fuels with electricity for heating and cooling systems • Improving insulation • Tightening window seals • Adding energy-efficient lighting such as LED bulbs. 

LEARN MORE

OPTION 2: Obtain Renewable Energy

Reduce your building emissions from electricity with eligible renewable energy. Renewable energy can only be used to reduce emissions from electricity. Boston Community Choice Electricity (BCCE) Sign up for the Green 100 plan through the City of Boston’s CCE program to receive 100% renewable electricity. Commercial and industrial accounts cannot exceed 1.5 million kWh/yr to be eligible. Solar Energy Solar generated on-site or anywhere in Boston can be used for compliance. If you are buying solar energy, or related energy credits, from a project outside of Boston, please reach out to the BERDO team to confirm its eligibility. Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) MA Class I RECs certify that the electricity was created using non-emitting renewable energy generated in New England. Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) A PPA is a long term contract to buy renewable energy. BERDO has specific requirements for PPAs. 

LEARN MORE

OPTION 3: Invest in Your Communities’ Decarbonization

You can comply with emissions standards and mitigate your emissions from fossil fuel and electricity use by making an Alternative Compliance Payment (ACP). ACPs go into the new Equitable Emissions Investment Fund, which will fund future decarbonization projects in Boston’s environmental justice communities. ACPs are payments of $234 for every metric ton of CO2e a building is above its emissions limit. ACPs can be made annually to keep your building in compliance. Please note, ACPs are not the same as fines. An ACP is considered a compliance mechanism under BERDO. 

LEARN MORE

EMISSIONS STANDARDS COMPLIANCE SCHEDULE

Click here to get the full list of compliance dates.

ENERGY USE EXEMPT FROM EMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

  • In the event that Emergency Backup Generation/Backup Power or EVSE serve, or have the potential to serve, multiple Buildings in a Building 11 Portfolio, the Energy use from such activities shall be allocated for individual Buildings in proportion to the square footage of each Building.
  • Emergency Backup Generation/Backup Power provides Energy only to the Building or Building Portfolio. 
  • Electrical Vehicle Supply Equipment is separately metered or EVSE is capable of tracking and reporting accurate energy usage, and EVSE meets specifications as defined by the Regulations.
  • Building Owners annually report (i) Energy used by Emergency Backup Generation / Backup Power and Electrical Vehicle Supply Equipment; (ii) the date(s), hour(s) and conditions that required the use of Emergency Backup Generation/Backup Power; and (iii) any other information required by the Regulations. Such reporting shall be subject to the self-certification and third-party verification procedures in section (h).

HARDSHIP COMPLIANCE PLAN

Alternative emissions reduction targets and/or timelines for a Building or Building Portfolio. A Building Owner may apply to the Review Board for a Hardship Compliance Plan if there are Building characteristics or circumstances that present a hardship in complying with the Emissions standards in this Ordinance. Such characteristics or circumstances, to be detailed in the Regulations, may include historic Building designations, affordable housing refinancing timelines, pre-existing long-term Energy contracts without reopeners, or financial hardship.

PENALTIES FOR EMISSION STANDARDS

$1000/day for Residential and Non-Residential Buildings +35 units or > 35,000 sq. ft.

$300/day for Residential and Non-Residential Buildings > 20,000 sq ft but < 35,000 sq. ft. or 15+ units but less than 35 units. 

GREEN ECONOME PHASE II PROCESS

    1. Evaluate the Phase I benchmarking report(s) for the building’s least-cost path to Phase II compliance (or complete benchmarking, if annual disclosure hasn’t been met).
    2. Provide Third Party Verification (if we have not already benchmarked for those buildings).
    3. Provide Phase II proposals for applicable services.
    4. Upon signed agreement, fulfill Phase II services, submit compliance requirements to the City, and provide reports to the building owner/representative.
GET STARTED

ENERGY STAR®
BENCHMARKING

Accurate benchmarking and ESG reporting establishes a building performance baseline for compliance

LEARN MORE

ENERGY & WATER AUDITS

On-site building audits uncover opportunities for operational efficiencies which improve property performance

LEARN MORE

BUILDING CERTIFICATIONS

Achieve ESG goals and attract sustainable investment with green building certifications

LEARN MORE

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