St Louis BEPS 2026: Start Your Benchmark Early
BEPS 2026 is already in motion and if you own a property in St. Louis, you need to read this. BEPS stands for Building Energy Performance Standard. It’s a major part of the city’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Your property’s deadline to file your building’s energy report is coming fast. Failing to meet the requirements will cost you.
This article explains the St Louis BEPS compliance 2026 process. We’ll explain how scoring works, how penalties are calculated, and what steps you can take now to avoid costly mistakes.
What Is St. Louis BEPS?
The St Louis building energy performance standard requires large buildings to meet minimum energy efficiency scores. The law applies to buildings over 50,000 square feet. It uses energy data to compare your building’s performance to others like it.
BEPS is more than just saving energy. BEPS also reduces long-term carbon impact. If your building falls below the performance target, you could face financial penalties unless you take action.
Why You Need to Act Before 2026
The deadline to submit your compliance report is May 1, 2026. It feels far away but starting now is important.
Here’s why:
1. Data Collection Takes Time:
You need time to collect and verify your building’s energy use data.
2. Upgrades Aren’t Instant
Improvements and upgrades takes months, or even years, to plan and complete.
3. Delays Cost More
St. Louis BEPS penalty calculation guides show that fines increase the longer you delay.
Waiting until 2026 means rushing your data, making errors, and risking non-compliance. Starting early gives you time to improve your score and reduce or eliminate penalties.
How BEPS Scoring Works
BEPS uses the ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager to track and evaluate your building’s energy performance. Each building gets a score from 1 to 100, based on actual energy usage data.
In St. Louis:
- Each building type has a benchmark score based on national data.
- Your building must meet or exceed the local median performance standard.
- If your score is below the target, you must either improve or pay.
This is known as your BEPS scoring benchmark STL, and it sets the threshold for compliance.
Understanding Penalties
St. Louis’s rules are clear on how it calculates penalties for BEPS violations. If you fail to comply, you may face:
- 🏢 Fines per square foot of building area
- 📅 Daily fees for missing reporting deadlines
- 📑 Additional fines for submitting incorrect or incomplete data
These fines can add up fast. One of the biggest risks is failing to understand how BEPS penalty calculation works until it’s too late. Property owners delay not realizing that even 1-2 missed fines can compound fines into 5-figures in costs.
To avoid BEPS penalties, Missouri building owners need to focus on timely and accurate submissions. The longer you wait, the higher the financial risk.
Key Steps to Meet BEPS Compliance in St. Louis
If you’re wondering how to meet BEPS requirements in St. Louis, here’s a simple breakdown:
1. Benchmark Your Building Now
Use ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager to collect and submit your energy use data. This sets your performance baseline and helps determine your required score for 2026.
2. Understand Your Target Score
Look up your building’s type and required median score under the St Louis energy scoring law. This is your ‘Performance Standard’.
3. Evaluate Your Current Performance
Run an initial energy analysis. Are you already above the target? Great. If not, you’ll need to plan upgrades or operational improvements.
4. Choose a Compliance Path
St. Louis offers two main paths:
I. Standard Path
Meet or beat the target score by the 2026 deadline.
II. Alternative Compliance Path
Commit to long-term energy reduction and show progress, even if you don’t fully hit the target by 2026.
Both options require careful planning and documentation.
5. Submit Your Report On Time
You must submit final energy data and documentation to the city before May 1, 2026. Late reports lead to penalties.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
To stay on track, avoid these common pitfalls:
❌ Ignoring your building’s current score
🔹 Always start with the data.
❌ Underestimating upgrade timelines
🔹 HVAC and lighting retrofits take time.
❌ Submitting late or inaccurate reports
🔹 St. Louis fines heavily for this.
❌ Not exploring incentives
🔹 Many local programs will help pay for upgrades.
Summary: Start Early, Stay Compliant
St. Louis BEPS is active. File your report before 2026. The earlier you begin, the easier and cheaper the process will be. Whether you’re an owner, property manager, or facility director, now is the time to understand your building’s energy use and plan your compliance strategy.
Take action early to prevent fines. Have questions or need help? Contact our team of experts. They help property owners get and stay compliant.
