Montgomery County Building Energy Benchmarking
What is Montgomery County Energy Benchmarking Law ?
Montgomery County Energy Benchmarking Law (Bill 2-14 and Bill 35-15) requires building owners to benchmark the energy usage of county, commercial, and residential buildings exceeding 25,000 square feet in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. Moreover, building owners are required to have their energy consumption data verified by a Recognized Data Verifier the first year, every three years thereafter, and report it to the County annually for public disclosure. The law was adopted in 2014 and reporting deadlines began in 2015.
What buildings are required per Montgomery County Energy Benchmarking Law?
Buildings located in Montgomery County, MD and are above 25,000 square feet.
Your building may qualify for an exemption from reporting if:
- Individually owned or leased spaces where: 1) Each space is less than 25,000 gross square feet, and 2) each space does not share and is not connected by any interior space (even hallways), and 3) each space has its own energy systems (like HVAC and hot water heating) and there are no shared energy systems between spaces, and 4) each space has separate utility meters for all utilities.
- Is in financial distress, defined as the building is subject to a tax lien sale or public auction due to property tax arrearages; is controlled by a court-appointed receiver; or was recently acquired by a deed in lieu of foreclosure.
- On average, less than one full-time-equivalent employee occupied the building during the calendar year being reported.
- The covered building is newly constructed and has received its certificate of use and occupancy during the calendar year for which benchmarking is required.
- The covered building was demolished or received its demolition permit during the calendar year for which benchmarking is required.
What is the penalty for non-compliance?
The Benchmarking Law is applicable and enforceable through Method 2 regulations, incorporating penalties for noncompliance, with any violation categorized as a Class A offense. Building owners of covered buildings failing to adhere to the law will receive a Notice of Violation.
What is the compliance process?
Building owners must report their energy usage data to Energy Star Portfolio Manager, a reporting tool that allows building owners to compare their building’s energy efficiency with similar buildings.
To finalize the benchmarking procedure, you must generate a Data Verification Checklist in Portfolio Manager, have a certified professional review and endorse the data, and include the data verifier’s details in Portfolio Manager. Please note that this step is mandatory only the first year and every three years thereafter.
Finally, building owners must meet long-term site energy use intensity performance standards ad explained in DEP’s BEPS website.
What is the deadline for Montgomery County Energy Benchmarking Law?
Montgomery County buildings greater than 25,000 square feet must submit their report by June 1st.
What utilities are required for benchmarking reporting?
- Electricity
- Natural Gas
- District Energy
- Any other purchased fuel
What is the purpose for Montgomery Energy Benchmarking ordinance?
The objective of the law is to enhance the county’s comprehension of local energy consumption trends, assess energy performance for comparisons with historical data and similar structures, pinpoint energy-saving opportunities within a portfolio of buildings, and facilitate effective business management through continuous data collection and monitoring.
Interested in benchmarking help?
If you are interested to learn more how Energy Fave can help with Energy benchmarking for your building or if you have more questions about the whole reporting process, feel free to email us: [email protected]