May Momentum: Power Through Benchmarking Season
Welcome to the May edition of VertPro® Insights, your monthly resource for staying ahead in the world of energy compliance and sustainability. As benchmarking season peaks across major U.S. cities, deadlines are approaching fast, and so are new opportunities. From Local Law 84 in NYC to San Francisco’s energy reporting mandates, staying on top of requirements this month can mean the difference between costly penalties and long, term savings.
In this issue, we highlight seven compelling reasons to benchmark your building now, not later. We also flag a critical LL97 update for New York City: the grace period ends June 30, act now to avoid fines. Plus, we cover important emissions updates across Boston, Washington State, and D.C., with fresh enforcement measures already in play.
If your next energy audit is coming up, don’t worry, we’ve included a practical pre, audit checklist to help you prepare. We also take a step back to explore why energy ordinances exist in the first place, and how they’re helping buildings become more efficient, resilient, and valuable.
As always, we round out the issue with timely seasonal reflections on May Day and Memorial Day. Let’s move forward with purpose, VertPro® is here to help you stay compliant, informed, and ahead of the curve.
If you’re managing commercial buildings in cities like New York or San Francisco, benchmarking season is officially here, and delaying could mean steep fines and missed opportunities. Under laws like Local Law 84 in NYC and San Francisco’s Existing Buildings Ordinance, annual energy benchmarking is not just a compliance checkbox, it’s a gateway to better performance and smarter investments.
Here’s why benchmarking now pays off:
- Avoid Penalties
Late reports trigger fines, hundreds to thousands of dollars per building. Timely submissions protect your bottom line. - Spot Hidden Inefficiencies
See how your building stacks up. Benchmarking reveals energy waste you may not have noticed. - Improve NOI
Lower utility bills boost your Net Operating Income, adding long-term financial value. - Qualify for Incentives
Rebates often require data. Benchmarking makes you eligible for utility-backed programs. - Boost ESG Reporting
Investors want sustainability metrics. Benchmarking supports your ESG story. - Attract Modern Tenants
Eco-conscious tenants look for energy-efficient spaces. Your score gives you an edge. - Future, Proof Compliance
More rules are coming. Get ahead by benchmarking today.
Need support? VertPro® makes it easy to stay compliant and maximize returns.
New York City’s Local Law 97 (LL97) is changing the way large buildings manage emissions, and the grace period to avoid major fines is closing fast. If your property is over 25,000 square feet, or part of a tax lot exceeding 50,000 sq. ft., you’re likely covered by this law. The City is offering a limited window, until June 30, 2025, to submit Mitigation Plans and demonstrate a good-faith path toward compliance.
Why This Matters
After June 30, the City will begin issuing annual fines of $268 per metric ton of CO₂e emissions above your cap. Many building owners assume enforcement starts later, but the emissions limits are already active for the 2024 compliance period.
Act Now, Gain Time
Using the grace period wisely can help you delay penalties, earn emissions reduction credits, and start planning for long-term upgrades like HVAC overhauls, electrification, or envelope improvements.
Confirm Your Coverage
Use the Covered Buildings List to see if your property is impacted.
VertPro® Is Here to Help
From benchmarking and documentation to strategy and mitigation planning, VertPro® can guide you through LL97 before time runs out.
If you’re managing buildings in Boston, Washington, D.C., or Washington State, new greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions laws are already in effect, and non-compliance can be costly. These aren’t theoretical policies. They’re active, enforceable regulations with real financial and operational consequences.
Boston, BERDO 2.0
Under BERDO 2.0, buildings over 20,000 sq. ft. must meet carbon intensity caps and file annual reports. Fines can reach $300 per day per building. The city offers templates and technical help, but many owners are already behind.
Washington, D.C., BEPS
The BEPS program targets buildings over 25,000 sq. ft. If your ENERGY STAR® score falls below the threshold, you’re now in the compliance cycle, required to improve or submit a detailed action plan.
Washington State, Clean Buildings Act
Under the Clean Buildings Performance Standard, buildings over 50,000 sq. ft. must meet energy use intensity (EUI) targets by 2026. Phase 1 deadlines are here, and penalties can reach $5,000 per day.
Need clarity?
VertPro® can streamline compliance across jurisdictions. Let us help you stay aligned and ahead.
Energy audits aren’t just a compliance task, they’re an opportunity to uncover savings, improve performance, and plan smart upgrades. If your property is located in a city like New York, Boston, or Los Angeles, regular audits are required under laws like LL87 and BERDO. Missed deadlines can lead to costly fines, so preparation is essential.
Here’s how to make your next audit count:
- Collect Energy Data
Start with at least 12 – 36 months of utility bills. Auditors use this to assess baseline consumption and identify red flags.
- Inventory Your Systems
Document key systems, HVAC, lighting, building controls, and insulation. Include equipment type, installation dates, and maintenance history.
- Coordinate Access
Ensure access to all critical areas like mechanical rooms, rooftops, and electrical panels. Clear pathways save time and reduce risk of rescheduling.
- Designate a Point Person
Assign a staff member to work with the auditor, answer technical questions, and manage documentation.
- Leverage the Findings
Audits don’t just check boxes; they guide capital planning, rebate applications, and operational upgrades.
Need help?
VertPro® supports clients at every step, from pre-audit prep to post audit strategy. Let’s turn your next audit into measurable results.
Energy ordinances are reshaping how commercial buildings operate, and not just in coastal cities. From New York’s Local Laws 84 & 97 to San Francisco’s Existing Buildings Ordinance, and Boston’s BERDO 2.0, regulations are expanding rapidly. While it’s easy to see them as burdens, these policies are actually powerful catalysts for smarter building management.
Why They Matter
These laws aim to cut emissions, improve efficiency, and boost resilience. And the cost of noncompliance is real:
- NYC: $268 per metric ton of CO₂e
- Boston: $300/day per building
- D.C.: $10/sq. ft. annually
- San Francisco & L.A.: fines start at $100, $2,000 per violation
But There’s Upside
Compliance unlocks lower utility bills, higher Net Operating Income (NOI), better ESG reporting, and greater tenant satisfaction. Ordinances also encourage upgrades that qualify for local and federal incentives, turning costs into investment.
Make Them Work for You
With the right strategy, ordinances can guide smarter capital planning. VertPro® helps you navigate the maze, stay compliant, and uncover untapped ROI.
Before texts and email alerts, connections came in simpler forms, like the May Day basket. Once a popular tradition across American neighbourhoods, these small baskets filled with flowers or sweets were left anonymously on doorsteps each May 1st, offering a quiet act of kindness to brighten someone’s day.
While the tradition has faded, its spirit still resonates, especially in property management. In today’s fast paced, hyper, digital world, small, thoughtful gestures can have a lasting impact. Whether you’re welcoming new tenants or building community among long, term residents, kindness can be a powerful retention strategy.
Simple actions like handwritten notes, seasonal treats, or small welcome gifts can humanize your building experience. Even something as modest as a potted plant or community bulletin can make a space feel more like home. These moments don’t just uplift, they differentiate.
Looking to revive the spirit of May Day?
Try organizing a spring welcome event, leaving small gifts at tenants’ doors, or sharing sustainability tips with a personal note. You can even donate modern “May baskets” to senior homes or local charities.
In an industry driven by systems, a little humanity still goes a long way.
As May draws to a close, Memorial Day offers more than just a long weekend, it’s a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by those who gave their lives in service to the United States. Their courage and commitment form the foundation of the freedoms we enjoy today.
At VertPro®, we believe that progress, whether in sustainability, energy innovation, or community development, rests on the values of service, resilience, and integrity. While our mission focuses on the future of buildings, we also recognize the legacy of those who made that future possible.
Ways to Reflect Meaningfully
This Memorial Day, consider observing the National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 p.m., visiting a local veterans memorial, or supporting a veteran, owned business. You can also fly the flag at half, staff until noon, as tradition calls for, or share a personal story of someone who served.
Memorial Day is not only a time to reflect, it’s a moment to reaffirm our shared responsibility to lead with purpose, integrity, and gratitude.
From all of us at VertPro®: we honor their memory, and we thank them for their service.
