Maryland Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS MD)
Need help with Maryland BEPS requirements? We’re your one-stop shop to enhance your building’s energy performance so you comply with MD’s latest efficiency requirements
What is MD’s BEPS program?
Benchmarking: Maryland requires annual energy benchmarking and reporting using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. Starting with calendar year 2024, covered buildings must report their energy use by September 1, 2025. Third-party data verification is required beginning with 2025 data, due by June 1, 2026.
Performance Standards: Maryland’s BEPS outlines progressive performance targets:
Performance is measured against the baseline established from 2025 energy data.
By 2030: 20% reduction in net direct GHG emissions
By 2035: 40% reduction in net direct GHG emissions
By 2040: Achieve net-zero direct GHG emissions
What is the difference between BEPS and Benchmarking compliance?
Let’s distinguish the BEPS initiative from Benchmarking:
Benchmarking is the process of measuring building energy performance.
BEPS creates standards for buildings to meet, pathways to increase efficiency, and fines for failure to comply.
When does BEPS take effect in MD?
Though BEPS and Benchmarking are interrelated, requirements kick in on different schedules:
2024: Begin Annual Benchmarking
2025: First Benchmarking Reports due by Sept. 1, 2025
2026: First year of third-party data verification, due by June 1, 2026
2030: Interim emissions target complaince deadline (20% emissions reduction)
2023: Second interim compliance deadline (40% emissions reduction)
2040: Final deadline to achieve net-zero direct emissions
How will this affect me as a building owner or manager?
Building owners and managers will need to compare their current Energy Star score to their property type’s DC median Energy Star score to determine if they fall below or above the threshold. If the building falls below the threshold, they must follow one of the following compliance pathways over a 5-year compliance period to avoid penalties:
Performance Pathway:
Gist of it: Reduce the property’s energy usage by 20%
Details: Reduce the property’s average Adjusted Site Energy Use Intensity (EUI) averaged over the last 2 years of the Compliance Cycle by 20% as compared to the Adjusted Site EUI averaged over the two years preceding the first year of the Compliance Cycle.
For example: For BEPS 1, DOEE will compare the Adjusted Site EUI from calendar years 2019 and 2020 to the Adjusted Site EUI from calendar years 2024 and 2025.
Standard Target Pathway:
For property types for which the standard is above the national median, reach the standard for your property type.
Prescriptive Pathway:
Implement cost-effective energy efficiency measures from a list provided by the BEPS task force and DOEE.
Alternative Compliance Pathway:
Allows an owner to apply to follow a pathway with special criteria agreed upon by DOEE and the building owner designed to achieve energy savings comparable to the Performance Pathway.
What are the penalties for noncompliance?
Penalties shall be determined on:
If the building met all the reporting requirements of the approved pathway after the 5-year compliance cycle
Gross floor area of the building
A ratio of $100,000 per 10,000 square feet rounded down, or $10/sqft
The maximum penalty shall be reduced proportionally to the building’s performance relative to its pathway target (Maximum Penalty Level x Distance from Pathway Target = Final Penalty Level)
More details about BEPS Maximum Penalties on our latest blog post.
Examples of Base Fines:
| Building Size (sq ft) | Maximum Penalty |
| 742,459 | $7,400,000 |
| 498,000 | $4,900,000 |
| 229,628 | $2,200,000 |
| 104,200 | $1,000,000 |
| 72,191 | $700,000 |
| 51,208 | $500,000 |
How do I get started?
From compliance and financing to Energy Star scores, Honeydew Energy Advisors understands the BEPS program right now brings more questions than answers. Honeydew is here to help:
Educate your team about all the details of the program
Choose the most realistic pathway to compliance
Identify the lowest hanging fruits to increase the property’s Energy Star score
Proceed with an energy audit to list out your remaining energy and water conservation measures
Collect multiple bids for each energy conservation measure proposed in the audit report to make sure you’re getting the best service at the best price
List out all financing options
Not sure about your current Energy Star score? Wondering what improvements you will need to implement in order to comply with the new BEPS program? Contact us in the form below to schedule a site survey and energy audit to find out where you stand.
**Free BEPS Webinar**
Join our informational BEPS webinar on September 13, 2022 at 5:30 pm EST to learn more about the updates to the program and what steps you should take to comply. Fill out the form in this link to sign-up and we’ll share the Zoom link a few weeks before the webinar.