What you need to know about Maryland's Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS).
BEPS was required to be implemented by Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) as part of the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022. BEPS requires large “covered” buildings across the state to have zero direct GHG emissions by 2040 and efficiently use energy (as measured by EUI) to meet this target.
What is a covered building?
BEPS applies to buildings in Maryland that are 35,000 square feet or larger (excluding the parking garage area). Historic buildings, public and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools, manufacturing buildings, agricultural buildings, and federal buildings are exempt. There are approximately 9,000 covered buildings in Maryland located across all counties.
What must a covered building do?
Owners of covered buildings are required to report energy data to MDE through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool. This process, called benchmarking, will begin in 2025. Starting in 2030, buildings must meet interim direct greenhouse gas emissions and site energy use intensity (EUI) standards on the way to the 2040 final targets. Covered building owners may need to make improvements to their buildings to meet the net direct greenhouse gas emissions and/or site EUI standards. MDE estimates that 60% of covered buildings have already met, or are close to meeting, at least one of the two standards. See the graphs below for a visual representation of the standards.
Current Status
The proposed regulation was published in the Maryland Register on December 15th, 2023. This initiated a month-long public comment period which culminated with a public hearing on January 18th, 2024. At this time the Department has concluded the public hearing and 30-day comment period and is reviewing the comments received before recommending adoption. Additional updates will be posted to the
public hearing webpage when available. See the timeline below on the BEPS process to see how we got here.
What can covered building owners and the general public do to prepare for BEPS?
- Participate in upcoming stakeholder engagement! After final adoption of the BEPS regulation, MDE will coordinate a series of working groups to further inform and refine the regulation’s supporting documentation. Working group topics may include: benchmarking and report submission, third-party verification, campus compliance, affordable housing providers, and unique building types. These groups will inform additional supplemental resources, white papers, and instructional tools to support BEPS implementation and guidelines.
- Become familiar with using the EPA’s Portfolio Manager tool by visiting the
EPA’s website, creating a Portfolio Manager account, and reviewing the
catalog of pre-recorded and live online training. You can even use utility billing data you already have (e.g. from 2023) to get a sense of how your buildings measure up before benchmarking officially begins.
- Stay Apprised of Available Funding
- Participate in the development of the Maryland Energy Administration’s (MEA)
Clean Buildings HUB, a one-stop shop for relevant information and resources, such as decarbonization incentives. MEA wants to hear from building owners and the general public on types of resources that will help them reduce on-site energy emissions and use. The HUB’s scope and strategy will be shaped by the feedback received. Please email
building.decarbonization@maryland.gov with any HUB-related questions and subscribe to this
newsletter to receive updates.
- Several programs exist to support energy efficiency with financing and incentives such as the
MD PACE program, EmPOWER Maryland, The Department of Housing and Community Development, and others.
- The Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC), a statewide green bank that was established to support Maryland’s green economy transition through direct investment and financing opportunities, recently launched the Climate Catalytic Capital Fund. This fund, known as C3, was established by the Climate Solutions Now Act and will distribute $15 million over three years for clean energy measures and technologies within low-income households and communities. See MCEC’s news release and
fund application.
- There’s much more to come! As a start, the Moore-Miller Administration announced a one-time injection of $90 million into Climate Solutions Now Act implementation. More than half of this allotment will be slated for grants to electrify hospitals, schools, multi-family housing, and other community buildings. Governor Moore said during the announcement, “I’m very clear about the fact that $90 million won't solve our climate challenges in Maryland but today, we make an important down payment on a more sustainable future.”
- Have questions about BEPS? Email MDE’s Building Decarbonization Team at
BEPS.MDE@maryland.gov or call (410) 537-3183.
- Interested in receiving updates on all things BEPS? Add your email to the BEPS communications list by completing this
form.
