The Honeydew Blog
Key Energy News from the DMV and Beyond
Significant Changes in the New DC BEPS Guidebook
DOEE published version 1.2 of the BEPS Compliance and Enforcement Guidebook in August 2026. The edition replaces version 1.1, which was issued in February 2023. This article highlights the major substantive changes between the two documents. So why did DOEE make major...
Maryland Pepco SOS Supply Rates: Where They Stand in 2026
If you are a Pepco customer in Maryland, the steady climb in your electricity bill hasn’t let up. Pepco has filed two rounds of Maryland tariff changes this cycle. Case No. 8890 raises the Transmission Service Charge across every rate class, effective September...
Why Are Pepco Electric Supply Rates Still Rising in 2026?
If you are a Pepco customer in the District of Columbia, the steady climb in your electricity bill since the pandemic is not over. On May 20, 2026, the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia (DCPSC) approved another round of Standard Offer Service (SOS)...
DC BEPS Compliance Checklist 2026
The 5 BEPS actions every DC condo and co-op board must take before December 31, 2026 — from GFA verification to choosing your compliance pathway.
DC’s BEPS Evaluation Year Is Here
2026 is DC BEPS Cycle 1 evaluation year. Here’s what condo and co-op boards need to know about compliance, pathways, and the Dec 31 deadline.
Utility Rates a Top Issue in DC Mayoral Race
Electric and gas bills in Washington DC have become the defining affordability issue of the 2026 mayoral race, and the candidates are debating them fiercely. The only problem: most of the conversation has been more about blame than about policy, and the technical...
The Iran War’s Impact on US Natural Gas Prices
If you follow natural gas markets, you know prices never move for just one reason. Since the US and its allies launched military operations against Iran in early 2026, energy analysts, traders, and building owners have all been asking the same question: is this going...
Arlington’s Solar, Green Roof and GAR Requirements
What to Know Before You Design If you’re building in Arlington right now, especially affordable housing, these requirements will shape your project. Arlington’s updated sustainability standards affect: Your roof Your gutter and irrigation systems Your stormwater...
New DC Benchmarking Requirement: Buildings 10,000–25,000 SF Must Now Report Annually
Buildings in Washington, DC between 10,000 and 25,000 square feet are now required to benchmark and report energy and water use on an annual basis to the Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE). This expansion of the District’s Building Energy Benchmarking...
Pepco’s Final DC Supply Rates Are In — And They’re High
Pepco has released its final approved electric supply rates for Washington, DC. These are no longer proposed figures — they are the published rates that will apply through Winter 2026, and the increases are significant across all rate classes. Final Pepco Supply Rates...
Maryland BEPS: New Verification Requirements Explained
What Building Owners Over 35,000 Sq Ft Must Do by June 1, 2026 If your building in Maryland is over 35,000 square feet, benchmarking is no longer just a reporting exercise. It now comes with a formal third-party verification requirement under Maryland’s Building...
The Role of Energy Benchmarking & BEPS in ESG, Financing, and Property Valuation
Energy benchmarking has become more than a regulatory checkbox. In today’s real estate market, where ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) commitments, financing requirements, and investor expectations continue to evolve, benchmarking reporting and BEPS...
How Much is AI Actually Contributing to Rising Energy Costs?
If you’re opening your December electric or gas bill and doing a double-take, you’re not alone. Across much of the U.S., wholesale natural gas and power prices have jumped to near three-year highs just as the first major cold snap of the 2025–26 winter hits. There...
Maryland BEPS “Notice of Required Action”: What It Means And How Honeydew Can Help You Comply
If your building is on Maryland’s Covered Building List and you haven’t submitted your 2024 benchmarking yet, you may have already received a “Notice of Required Action” from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). Don’t stress - we’re your neighborhood...
DC Council Sticks to BEPS Deadlines – Here’s What That Means for You
It’s been a wild summer for DC’s budget process. In May, the Mayor floated a plan to pause the Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) and push off the Net‑Zero Energy code. That proposal made plenty of headlines and led some building owners to wonder whether...
Maryland BEPS 2025 Update: What HB49 Means (Deadlines, MoCo, Fees & Condo Rules)
From the field: As we’re actively benchmarking many new Maryland buildings right now, we’ve received fresh updates from MDE that are too important not to keep to ourselves. If you still need help getting your properties benchmarked (or just want a second set of eyes),...
Keepin it Fresh: The Power of Outside Air
When I upgraded to a smart thermostat, I expected to see one main benefit: lower energy bills. What I didn’t expect was that the upgrade would completely change how I think about indoor air quality. My new thermostat came with sensors that track VOC (volatile organic...
EmPOWER MD Tune-Up: Energy Upgrades You’re Already Paying For
If you’re paying a utility bill in Maryland, there’s a good chance you’re already funding energy efficiency upgrades and just haven’t claimed them yet. And here’s the best part: If you participate and get accepted into the program, not only could you receive free or...