Madison Reporter

The City of Madison has initiated the first year of its Building Energy Savings Program (BESP). Adopted by the Common Council in 2023, the program mandates that large commercial buildings benchmark their energy use annually and conduct energy system tune-ups every four years. The rollout is scheduled to occur between 2024 and 2026.

This year, owners of commercial buildings exceeding 100,000 square feet have until September 6th to visit the new Building Owner Portal for benchmarking. Resources and information for the program are accessible on the City’s website. The 2024 Covered Buildings List identifies all buildings required to start benchmarking this year. If a building appears on this list, the Building Owner Portal will provide guidance through the benchmarking and reporting process. Additionally, a Building Owner Guide offers step-by-step instructions, and a help desk is available for inquiries.

“The Building Energy Savings Program is a significant step toward improving the energy efficiency of Madison’s buildings,” said Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway. “We’ve provided an array of resources to help building owners and managers successfully benchmark their building’s energy use. There’s never been a better time to start measuring energy use, setting goals, and taking action to improve efficiency.”

Benchmarking and tune-ups aim to reduce energy waste, save money, and decrease carbon pollution. Consistent benchmarking can reduce annual energy use by up to 10%, while tune-ups can cut it by an average of 12%. These measures translate into substantial savings on energy bills. Moreover, saving energy reduces carbon emissions; currently, commercial buildings account for 45% of greenhouse gas emissions in Madison. The BESP aims to cut community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by over 91,000 tons of CO2 annually—equivalent to removing nearly 18,000 cars from the road.

The City is also offering virtual training sessions over the next six weeks to guide participants through the benchmarking and reporting process.

For more information, visit City of Madison’s Building Energy Savings Program webpage.