Los Angeles Energy Benchmarking

The City of Los Angeles in California has the following energy and water benchmarking laws for all large buildings with certain square footage.

Fast facts:

  • June 1st annual deadline

    • To comply with EBEWE, all buildings owners are required to register their building and pay an annual fee of $65 per covered building by June 1st

  • 7,500+ sq. ft. for public city buildings and 20,000+ sq. ft. for all other buildings

  • Additional requirements: Energy Assessment and/or Retro-Commissioning Study due every 5 years

Details

  • EBEWE requires owners of large buildings to benchmark their building’s energy and water usage and report it to the City of Los Angeles. The City will then publish this data online so that owners can see how each building compares to its peers.

  • The purpose of EBEWE is to reduce energy and water usage in buildings Citywide in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption through benchmarking and performance requirements. The EBEWE will help building owners recognize opportunities for cost-effective improvements in addition to cutting energy and water waste.

  • EBEWE covers all buildings greater than 20,000 square feet and 7,500 square feet for buildings owned by the City.

    Your building may qualify for an exemption from reporting if:

    • The building did not have a Certificate of Occupancy or Temporary Certificate of Occupancy for the entire calendar year required to be benchmarked;

    • The entire building was not occupied, due to renovation, for the entire calendar year required to be benchmarked;

    • The demolition permit for the entire building has been issued and demolition work has commenced on or before the date the benchmarking report is due for that calendar year;

    • The building did not receive energy or water services for the entire calendar year required to be benchmarked.

  • DEADLINE EXTESNION: The city has provided a 2023 deadline extension. Reports will be due by September 7, 2023.

    Typically, reports are due every June 1 for buildings greater than 20,000 square feet. Buildings will also need to submit initial audits and/or retro-commissioning reports beginning the year covered by the last digit of the building’s Assessor's Identification Number (AIN) and every 5 years thereafter.

  • All energy utilities including electricity, natural gas, district energy, and any other purchased fuel type used to operate your building.

    Water is another utility that is required for reporting.

  • Buildings that do not comply with the Existing Building Energy & Water Efficiency Program by the deadline will be publicly disclosed and may be charged a compounding fine.

  • Building owners must report their energy usage data to EPA’s Portfolio Manager, a reporting tool that allows building owners to compare their building’s energy efficiency with similar buildings.

    However:

    • Touchstone IQ for Buildings is a fast, easy-to-use tool that integrates directly with EPA’s Portfolio Manage

    • Touchstone IQ also offers expert-led benchmarking to building owners and managers looking for streamlined compliance and cost-saving recommendations

    Many benchmarking ordinances require a Building ID as part of the report submission process. If needed, you may be able to find your Building ID number here.

  • Los Angeles large properties are exempt from California state energy benchmarking laws and only have to report to the City. Learn more about exempted local benchmarking ordinances in California here.

  • Touchstone IQ for Buildings offers expert-led benchmarking and easy DIY tools for Los Angeles’ large properties. Simplify energy benchmarking compliance while gaining the tools to save money and build your energy intelligence with our exclusive software platform. Gain access to the nation's leading energy experts to ensure significant improvements in your energy usage for your commercial, multifamily, or public building. Our team has partnered with entities of all sizes to reduce their carbon footprint, reach ambitious targets, and comply with new regulations. Whether you're looking for comprehensive, step-by-step guidance to craft your energy management plan or a convenient, intuitive benchmarking solution, we've got you covered. Schedule your free personalized demo today or contact us for pricing or questions.

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