Across the United States, a growing number of cities and states are adopting policies that hold commercial buildings accountable for their energy use and carbon impact. At the core of these policies is a powerful yet often underutilized tool: energy benchmarking.
Benchmarking is the practice of tracking a building’s energy use over time and comparing it against similar buildings. It’s the foundation of effective energy management and often a required first step in jurisdictions that have passed Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS). As of 2024, over 40 local and state governments have enacted benchmarking ordinances, requiring building owners, usually those with more than 20,000 sq ft., to report their energy use annually. Notable examples include New York City’s Local Law 84, Washington D.C.’s Clean Energy Omnibus Act, and California’s own benchmarking mandates through AB 802.
But benchmarking is just the beginning.
Once a building’s energy data are reported and analyzed, many jurisdictions are layering on performance standards that require buildings to meet specific energy or emissions thresholds or face some hefty penalties. In New York, Local Law 97 imposes emissions caps, and steep fines for noncompliance began in 2024. In Boston, the BERDO 2.0 ordinance escalates emission reduction mandates through 2050. And in Denver, buildings must show continuous improvement to meet energy targets every five years.
San Francisco’s Strategic Expansion: The SDA
San Francisco has taken a particularly thoughtful and forward-thinking approach to building compliance. Under the city’s Existing Commercial Buildings Ordinance, large buildings must submit energy benchmarking reports annually and demonstrate energy performance through audits or retro-commissioning every five years. To help owners plan beyond basic compliance, the city introduced the Strategic Decarbonization Assessment (SDA)—a planning framework for carbon emissions reduction and electrification.
The SDA includes a preliminary energy-use analysis, identification of low- and no-cost efficiency measures, and a road map for system upgrades aligned with equipment replacement cycles. Rather than impose reactive compliance, this encourages strategic investment, something Taper also supports through our own services.
If your enterprise operates across the United States and in these metro regions, you’ll quickly notice that each has its own distinct mandates, making it challenging to determine where and how to ensure compliance.
Energy Self-Assessment & Audits as the Bridge to Immediate Cost Savings
While benchmarking shows how your building is performing, an energy audit or assessment reveals why—and what to do next. These evaluations can uncover energy waste, deferred maintenance, and no-cost behavioral fixes while also providing a roadmap for capital improvements. Depending on the size and complexity of your building, audits can range from $1,000 for smaller properties to several thousand for larger or more complex systems. However, such audits often identify tens of thousands of dollars in potential annual savings.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, energy audits that lead to strategic improvements can deliver ROI in under three years. In California, combining these audits and assessments with programs like the F-Gas Reduction Incentive Program (FRIP) and utility rebates can make projects cash flow positive from day one.
The regulatory landscape is only becoming more complex. If your enterprise spans multiple regions or cities, staying ahead of performance mandates is not just smart—it’s essential. Taper helps you take control before regulations force your hand and pocketbook.
We specialize in helping commercial building owners and operators navigate the complexities of benchmarking, compliance reporting, and performance upgrades. Our team pinpoints where you are, where you need to go, when to report, and how to get there with minimal cost and maximum return.
See our full suite of compliance and building performances services.