California’s Energy Benchmark Requirements to Start in 2017

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The California energy benchmarking law (AB 802), which passed last year, is set to go into effect in 2017, after the California Energy Commission finalizes the regulations. The law applies to commercial properties of more than 50,000 square feet and apartment communities with 17 or more utility accounts.

Under the law, utility companies are required to provide commercial and multifamily properties with the previous 12 months of energy consumption data within four weeks of request. Property owners will then input this information into the Energy Star Portfolio Manager to obtain an Energy Star score, which will be publicly available.

An Environmental Protection Agency study found that buildings that consistently track and benchmark energy usage reduce annual energy use by an average of 2.4 percent, realizing total savings of 7 percent.

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