New Orleans Building Benchmarking Ordinance

New Orleans Building Energy Benchmarking Ordinance

July 14, 2025 Connor Chow

The City of New Orleans Building Energy Benchmarking Ordinance is a citywide energy benchmarking & disclosure program requiring owners of existing buildings to report energy use annually, using ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager®. Effective as of June 2025, this program provides building owners insight into their building’s energy efficiency and helps meet the City of New Orleans’ Climate Action Plan goals.

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WHAT BUILDINGS ARE COVERED UNDER NEW ORLEANS BENCHMARKING?

Property Size

Non-residential and multifamily buildings over 20,000 Sq. Ft.

WHAT INFORMATION IS REQUIRED FOR BENCHMARKING?

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.

WHEN ARE NEW ORLEANS BENCHMARKING REPORTS DUE?

May 31, 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.

*Buildings over 50,000 Sq. Ft. need to comply beginning January 1, 2026. Buildings between 20,000 and 50,000 Sq. Ft. begin reporting January 1, 2027.

WHAT INFORMATION IS REQUIRED FOR BPS?

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.

New Orleans does not require BPS compliance at this time. However, improving your building’s efficiency can lower your operating costs, improve your NOI, and save you money in the long run.

WHAT IS THIRD-PARTY DATA VERIFICATION?

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.

New Orleans does not require data verification at this time.

WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES IF YOU DON'T COMPLY WITH NEW ORLEANS BENCHMARKING?

Violating any aspect of the New Orleans Building Energy Benchmarking Ordinance will result in fines between $1,000 and $3000.

Penalties are waived for buildings in their first year of compliance.

HOW DO I COMPLY WITH NEW ORLEANS BENCHMARKING?

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

New Orleans Building Energy Benchmarking Ordinance compliance can be confusing and hard to navigate. Bringing on a consultant like VCA Green 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.

WHEN SHOULD I START NEW ORLEANS BENCHMARKING COMPLIANCE?

Ordinances such as the New Orleans Building Energy Benchmarking Ordinance 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. VCA Green takes every measure to ensure complete and accurate data collection. The sooner you reach out, the sooner you will reach compliance.

NEW ORLEANS BENCHMARKING RESOURCES

Policy

New Orleans Building Energy Benchmarking Ordinance

Bill Text

Ordinance No. 35, 154

Enforcing Agency

New Orleans Office of Resilience & Sustainability

DOWNLOAD NEW ORLEANS BENCHMARKING SUMMARY

VCA GREEN PROCESS

With every phase of the process, VCA Green’s experienced and knowledgeable team is here to guide you on the results, options, and path forward to meet your compliance goals.

Official ordinance page Green Econome Process

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CAMBRIDGE BUILDING ENERGY USE DISCLOSURE ORDINANCE (BEUDO)

July 1, 2025 Connor Chow

The City of Cambridge Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance (Cambridge BEUDO), is a citywide energy benchmarking & disclosure program requiring owners of existing buildings to report energy and water use annually, using ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager®. Effective as of June 2023, this program provides building owners insight into their building’s energy efficiency and helps meet the City of Cambridge’s Climate Action Plan goals.

BEGIN COMPLIANCE NOW

WHAT BUILDINGS ARE COVERED UNDER CAMBRIDGE BEUDO?

Property Size

Commercial buildings over 25,000 Sq .Ft. or 50+ residential dwelling units.

Municipal buildings over 10,000 Sq. Ft.

WHAT INFORMATION IS REQUIRED FOR BENCHMARKING?

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.

WHEN ARE CAMBRIDGE BEUDO BENCHMARKING REPORTS DUE?

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.

WHAT INFORMATION IS REQUIRED FOR BPS?

Cambridge BEUDO requires covered properties to meet Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions reductions requirements on a schedule outlined below. These reductions use the baseline years 2018-2019, meaning they must meet the reduction targets relative to the data from those years.

WHEN ARE CAMBRIDGE BEUDO BPS REPORTS DUE?

For Buildings Over 100,000 Sq. Ft.

Compliance Period 1 (2026-2029) – annual GHG emissions must be reduced by at least 20% from baseline.

Compliance Period 2 (2030-2034) – annual GHG emissions must be reduced by at least 60% from baseline.

From 2035 onwards, GHG emissions will not exceed zero.

For Buildings Between 25,000 Sq. Ft. and 100,000 Sq. Ft.

Compliance Period 1 (2026-2029) – annual GHG emissions cannot be more than emissions from the baseline year.

Compliance Period 2 (2030-2034) – annual GHG emissions must be reduced by at least 40% from baseline.

Compliance Period 3 (2035-2039) – annual GHG emissions must be reduced by at least 60% from baseline.

Compliance Period 4 (2040-2044) – annual GHG emissions must be reduced by at least 80% from baseline.

Compliance Period 5 (2045-2049) – annual GHG emissions must be reduced by at least 90% from baseline.

From 2050 onwards, annual GHG emissions will not exceed zero.

WHAT IS THIRD-PARTY DATA VERIFICATION?

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 Cambridge BEUDO, data verification was required for the two baseline years (2018-2019) and is required during the first year of each BPS compliance period.

WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES IF YOU DON'T COMPLY WITH CAMBRIDGE BEUDO?

BEUDO violations will result in:

A written warning for first violation
Fines of $300 per violation, per day for any subsequent violations
- Each day that a property remains in violation will be considered a separate offense

These penalty guidelines apply individually to all aspects of the ordinance including, benchmarking, data verification, and emissions reduction requirements.

HOW DO I COMPLY WITH CAMBRIDGE BEUDO?

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

Cambridge BEUDO compliance can be confusing and hard to navigate. Bringing on a consultant like VCA Green 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.

WHEN SHOULD I START CAMBRIDGE BEUDO COMPLIANCE?

Ordinances such as Cambridge BEUDO 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.

CAMBRIDGE BEUDO RESOURCES

Policy

Cambridge Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance (BEUDO)

Bill Text

Cambridge Building Energy Use and Emissions Reductions

Enforcing Agency

City of Cambridge

DOWNLOAD CAMBRIDGE BEUDO SUMMARY

VCA GREEN APPROACH

With every phase of the process, VCA Green’s experienced and knowledgeable team is here to guide you on the results, options, and path forward to meet your compliance goals.

RELEVANT SERVICES

Benchmarking Insights

Understanding Boston’s Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Requirements

December 31, 2024 admin

As Boston tightens its regulations to combat climate change, building owners are facing new challenges to stay compliant with the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO). If you own or manage a large commercial property, understanding how to navigate these standards is crucial to avoid fines and penalties. That’s where Green Econome steps in—helping you comply, reduce emissions, and achieve long-term energy savings.

What Are BERDO Emissions Requirements?

To reduce the environmental impact of Boston’s largest buildings, the city has set strict emissions standards that gradually lower every five years, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050. Here are the key points you should be aware of:

Buildings over 20,000 square feet or residential properties with 15+ units must comply.

By 2025 or 2030 (depending on your building’s size), you’ll need to report your energy use and greenhouse gas emissions to the city annually.

Every five years, buildings must either reduce emissions by 15% or complete a detailed energy assessment.

Emissions reduction schedule by building type:

Source: Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure | Boston.gov

How Green Econome Simplifies BERDO Compliance

We specialize in helping Boston commercial real estate owners meet energy benchmarking and emissions reduction targets. With our expert team, you can:

Meet Emissions Standards

We assist in benchmarking, tracking, and reporting your building’s energy use and emissions through ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager®. We ensure that your data is accurate and submitted on time, so you stay compliant with BERDO’s requirements year after year. If you already have benchmarking covered, we can provide third-party verification services.

Develop a Plan that Meets Your Needs

Beyond benchmarking, Green Econome can help plan an effective strategy that aligns your reduction targets with company goals and budget. By conducting energy audits and analyses, Green Econome acts as an extension of your team to make efficiency recommendations, provide energy management, verify and track reductions to ensure you are on track for BERDO compliance.

Reduce Energy Use

Green Econome is an end-to-end service provider that can manage and/or install your energy and water efficiency projects. Whether an LED lighting retrofit or a full scale building decarbonization and clean energy system, we leverage a national team of professionals to get the job done.

Avoid Penalties – Act Today!

The clock is ticking on Boston’s emissions standards, and penalties for non-compliance can add up fast, up to $1,000/day! Green Econome offers a streamlined approach to meet BERDO’s energy and emissions requirements, saving you time, money, and stress. Ready to make your building more efficient and compliant? Contact Green Econome today for a consultation and see how we can help you reduce emissions, lower costs, and stay ahead of Boston’s climate regulations.

DOWNLOAD BOSTON BERDO BROCHURE

RELEVANT SERVICES

Benchmarking Insights

Energy Benchmarking in Boston — What is BERDO?

December 3, 2024 admin

Cities around the US are implementing energy benchmarking laws. Boston is paving the way for energy efficiency with their Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO). The BERDO energy benchmarking ordinance provides an excellent opportunity for commercial real estate owners to improve their energy performance while saving money and staying ahead of future greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction requirements. If you’re a property owner or manager in the city, staying compliant with BERDO is crucial—and Green Econome is here to help.

What is BERDO Energy Benchmarking in Boston?

Passed in 2013, Boston’s Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) requires large commercial and residential buildings to report their annual energy and water usage by May 15th annually to the city, as well as stating emissions standards every 5 years, starting in 2025 or 2030 depending on building size. This regulation applies to:

Residential buildings that have 15 or more units

Non-residential buildings that are 20,000 square feet or larger

Parcels with multiple buildings totaling at least 20,000 square feet or 15 units

What are the Benefits of BERDO?

Failing to meet BERDO energy benchmarking reporting requirements can result in penalties of up to $1,000/day!

But beyond compliance, energy benchmarking through ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager® can help property owners identify areas for efficiency improvements and cost savings. Tracking and optimizing energy usage can significantly increase the value of your commercial property. Buildings that perform better in energy efficiency often attract more tenants and offer long-term savings on utility bills. By staying ahead of Boston’s energy benchmarking ordinance, you’ll ensure your property remains competitive in the city’s fast-growing commercial real estate market.

Maximize Energy Efficiency in Boston with Green Econome’s Energy Benchmarking Services

With over 20 years of combined experience in commercial real estate and benchmarking, Green Econome’s expert team is here to take the stress of BERDO compliance off your plate. Don’t wait until the last minute—get in touch with Green Econome today to simplify the compliance process and unlock energy savings for your property. For more information on how we can assist with Boston BERDO compliance, or energy benchmarking for commercial properties in any US state, contact Green Econome today!

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Media

IMN Spotlight Podcast with Marika Erdely

October 23, 2024 admin

In this episode of IMN’s Spotlight Podcast: Shining the Light on Real Estate Market Players, Green Econome’s founder Marika Erdely sits down to talk about what running a woman-owned business focusing on ESG in commercial real estate is like. She discusses the importance of energy benchmarking, successful case studies, mentorship, and the future potential of Green Econome and the industry.

You don’t want to miss this tell-all episode! You can listen to this episode and more on IMN’s Spotlight Podcast on SoundCloud or Spotify.

LISTEN

Insights Media

CREW OC Behind the Logo: Spotlight on Green Econome

May 15, 2024 admin

Sit down with Green Econome’s own Marika Erdely and the inimitable Kate Shoemaker of Assured Partners and CREW Orange County, and enjoy this episode of “Behind The Logo”.

In this fun and candid conversation, Kate and Marika discuss everything from the “Need to Do Initiative” of energy efficiency and sustainability in CRE, Arnold Schwarzenegger, networking scaries, and building a better future for all.

As part of CREW Network, the industry’s premier business organization, CREW Orange County transforms the commercial real estate industry by advancing women globally. CREW Network’s membership of 12,000 professionals in over 75 major global markets represents all aspects of commercial real estate—providing our members with direct access to real estate professionals across all geographies and disciplines.

Head over to CREW Orange County to explore their mission, community, and opportunities to connect.

CREW OC WEBSITE

Decarbonization Insights

ESG Explained: How the SEC is Influencing Commercial Real Estate

May 14, 2024 Marika Erdely

Here at Green Econome, we’ve been at the forefront of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) reporting, eagerly anticipating the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ruling on mandatory disclosures for public companies. Fundamentally, ESG is a way of doing business. Green Econome lives in the world of the “E”, the “Environmental” with our ENERGY STAR® benchmarking and energy and water efficiency services. While we recognize that the “S” and the “G” are equally important for businesses to report on, we are going to focus on the “E” and how that relates to the SEC’s new ruling. Let’s get into it.

Unpacking the SEC Climate-Related Disclosures

What are public companies required to report and how does that intersect with commercial real estate? On March 6, 2024, the SEC passed legislation requiring public companies to measure their Scope 1 and 2 emissions as part of their annual reporting and include how climate risk will affect their businesses in the near future. This ruling is meant to enhance and standardize climate-related disclosures. The SEC also included a materiality clause to help guide businesses as to what to report. Although, it’s important to note that since March, there has been intense business opposition. But let’s get to the bottom line here: what are Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions and why do we need to report on them?

Defining Scope 1, 2, and 3 Emissions

Basically, Scope 1 is for all direct Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions through the combustion of gas in buildings or by the business’ fleet. Scope 2 is indirect emissions for the electricity the business is consuming from the grid. Both emissions are part of the collection of data standard to ENERGY STAR benchmarking. Scope 3, although significant, was not included in the SEC’s ruling.

The ‘E’ in ESG is where Green Econome thrives

We are here to ENERGY STAR Benchmark your portfolio to meet your “E” goals and reduce the operating costs of your building. As a woman-owned, full-service energy and water efficiency construction and consulting company, we have over 20 years of combined experience. We provide accurate benchmarking services and insights to recommend solutions and incentives that will increase the NOI and market value of your property. Let us help you better understand and accomplish your property’s ESG goals to reduce emissions and meet science-based targets (SBTi).

Contact Founder and CEO Marika Erdely
Mobile: 818-681-5750
Email: marikae@greeneconome.com

DOWNLOAD OUR ESG SERVICES BROCHURE

RELEVANT SERVICES

News Recognition

Two Years Strong: Green Econome Earns 2024 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award

March 26, 2024 admin

Los Angeles, CA (March 26, 2024) – Green Econome is proud to announce that it has received the 2024 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a second consecutive year.

Green Econome Founder and CEO, Marika Erdely reflects on the meaning of this award, “I am incredibly proud to be an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year, two years in a row. Since founding this company in 2009 from scratch, to being acknowledged by the EPA for the quality work we do, I am very appreciative of the hard work and integrity of our team, and our clients who entrust us with their business. We have achieved this recognition together.”

Each year, the ENERGY STAR program honors a select group of businesses and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to energy efficiency and 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 have saved more than five trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity over the past 30 years. In 2023, Green Econome benchmarked over 1,200 buildings, with 9 buildings earning their first-ever ENERGY STAR certification. Through ENERGY STAR^® Portfolio Manager^® web services, Green Econome introduced custom analytics and client reports in 2023, and is developing a client dashboard, further customizing how clients can view and interact with their building data.

“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda creates unprecedented opportunity to build a clean energy economy, and private sector partners through programs like ENERGY STAR are leading the way,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “I congratulate this year’s ENERGY STAR award winners for their innovation and leadership, in delivering cost-effective energy-efficient solutions that create jobs, address climate change, and contribute to a healthier environment for all.”

Winners are selected from a network of thousands of ENERGY STAR partners. For a complete list of 2024 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 in the dynamic intersection of sustainability and commercial real estate, providing energy and water efficiency compliance, consulting, and construction services nationwide. Our integrated team has over 20 years of combined experience finding energy-efficient 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. 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

Media

Renewables and CA Real Estate with Marika Erdely

January 31, 2024 admin

In this episode of The Commercial Real Estate Report podcast, Chris Berg of Abernathey Holdings and Green Econome Founder and CEO, Marika Erdely take a deep dive into:

Solar and clean energy requirements in CA
The positive impacts of ESG
Challenges facing CRE and building performance
Financial incentives and the tax benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act

The Commercial Real Estate Report is dedicated to bringing you in-depth analyses, market trends, and expert opinions from the world of commercial real estate. Whether you’re an investor, a developer, or simply someone interested in the dynamics of commercial properties, they’ve got you covered. Find them on YouTube @TheCommercialRealEstate. Listen, share, subscribe.

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Events

January 10, 2024 CREW Connections Lunch & Learn

January 4, 2024 Karalyn Shima Honea

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

1 2 3 4 5

BEGIN COMPLIANCE NOW

WHAT BUILDINGS ARE COVERED UNDER NEW ORLEANS BENCHMARKING?

Property Size

WHAT INFORMATION IS REQUIRED FOR BENCHMARKING?

WHEN ARE NEW ORLEANS BENCHMARKING REPORTS DUE?

WHAT INFORMATION IS REQUIRED FOR BPS?

WHAT IS THIRD-PARTY DATA VERIFICATION?

WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES IF YOU DON'T COMPLY WITH NEW ORLEANS BENCHMARKING?

HOW DO I COMPLY WITH NEW ORLEANS BENCHMARKING?

WHEN SHOULD I START NEW ORLEANS BENCHMARKING COMPLIANCE?

NEW ORLEANS BENCHMARKING RESOURCES

VCA GREEN PROCESS

RELEVANT SERVICES

ENERGY STAR® BENCHMARKING

ENERGY & WATER AUDITS

BUILDING PERFORMANCE DASHBOARD

BEGIN COMPLIANCE NOW

WHAT BUILDINGS ARE COVERED UNDER CAMBRIDGE BEUDO?

Property Size

WHAT INFORMATION IS REQUIRED FOR BENCHMARKING?

WHEN ARE CAMBRIDGE BEUDO BENCHMARKING REPORTS DUE?

WHAT INFORMATION IS REQUIRED FOR BPS?

WHEN ARE CAMBRIDGE BEUDO BPS REPORTS DUE?

For Buildings Over 100,000 Sq. Ft.

For Buildings Between 25,000 Sq. Ft. and 100,000 Sq. Ft.

WHAT IS THIRD-PARTY DATA VERIFICATION?

WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES IF YOU DON'T COMPLY WITH CAMBRIDGE BEUDO?

HOW DO I COMPLY WITH CAMBRIDGE BEUDO?

WHEN SHOULD I START CAMBRIDGE BEUDO COMPLIANCE?

CAMBRIDGE BEUDO RESOURCES

VCA GREEN APPROACH

RELEVANT SERVICES

ENERGY STAR® BENCHMARKING

ENERGY & WATER AUDITS

BUILDING PERFORMANCE DASHBOARD

What Are BERDO Emissions Requirements?

How Green Econome Simplifies BERDO Compliance

Avoid Penalties – Act Today!

DOWNLOAD BOSTON BERDO BROCHURE

RELEVANT SERVICES

ENERGY BENCHMARKING

ENERGY & WATER AUDITS

RETROFIT & CONSTRUCTION

What is BERDO Energy Benchmarking in Boston?

What are the Benefits of BERDO?

Maximize Energy Efficiency in Boston with Green Econome’s Energy Benchmarking Services

RELEVANT SERVICES

ENERGY BENCHMARKING

ENERGY & WATER AUDITS

RETROFIT & CONSTRUCTION

Unpacking the SEC Climate-Related Disclosures

Defining Scope 1, 2, and 3 Emissions

The ‘E’ in ESG is where Green Econome thrives

DOWNLOAD OUR ESG SERVICES BROCHURE

RELEVANT SERVICES

ESG & SUSTAINABILITY

ENERGY STAR® BENCHMARKING

ENERGY & WATER CONSULTING

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

CREW Connections 2024 Outlook Lunch and Learn

ENERGY STAR®
BENCHMARKING

ENERGY STAR®
BENCHMARKING

ENERGY & WATER
AUDITS

ENERGY & WATER
AUDITS

ENERGY STAR®
BENCHMARKING

ENERGY & WATER
CONSULTING