2026 By the Numbers

Percent of 2026 deadlines that have already passed as of March 2026

0% Passed

Benchmarking

0% of 2026 benchmarking deadlines have passed.

0% Passed

BPS

0% of 2026 BPS deadlines have passed.

0% Passed

Other

0% of 2026 other deadlines have passed.

Benchmarking

Energy Benchmarking Deadlines - Next 90 Days

**New Orleans**

**New Mandatory Benchmarking**

New Orleans passed its own mandatory energy benchmarking ordinance that will require buildings over 50,000 square feet to submit benchmarking data by May 31, 2026. While penalties are waived for the first year of compliance, buildings may face fines of $1,000–$3,000 for failing to report benchmarking data. These New Orleans energy benchmarking requirements apply to large commercial and multifamily buildings and create the city’s first mandatory energy benchmarking deadline in 2026.For more information on this ordinance, read our previously published article on the ordinance.

**Minnesota State**

**Large Building Benchmarking**

Minnesota is expanding its statewide energy benchmarking program this year to include additional large buildings. In 2026, the program will cover all buildings 50,000 square feet or larger, with buildings required to submit energy benchmarking data directly to the State of Minnesota by June 1, 2026. If a building does not request an extension and fails to comply with benchmarking requirements, Minnesota may impose a civil fine of $1,000. This statewide Minnesota energy benchmarking expansion means most large commercial and multifamily properties now have mandatory energy reporting in 2026.

**Providence Benchmarking Requirements**

**Small Buildings**

Providence is expanding its benchmarking program to include all buildings 20,000 square feet or larger. Buildings will be required to submit energy benchmarking data to the Department of Sustainability by May 15, 2026, or the City may impose a fine of $30–$40 per day. Providence’s 2026 smallbuilding benchmarking requirement significantly expands local energy reporting for midsize commercial and multifamily properties.

**Lakewood**

**New Energy Benchmarking Program**

On a vote of 11-0, the City of Lakewood, Colorado adopted their own Energy Benchmarking ordinance. Targeting buildings 10,000 square feet and more, the benchmarking program shall be used to inform the development of a future Building Performance Standard. Beginning this year, all multi-family and non-residential buildings must report their energy benchmarking data by December 31st, 2026. In subsequent years, the annual reporting deadline will be June 1st. Buildings that are not compliant with the Lakewood program could face penalties up to $2,000 per year.

2026 Building Performance Standards (BPS) Targets

**Cambridge**

**2026 Target Reporting Year**

This year marks the first building performance standard target year under Cambridge’s Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance for covered non-residential buildings 100,000 square feet or larger. These buildings are required to meet energy or emissions targets, with the City requiring covered buildings to achieve net zero by 2035. Buildings must report their 2025 emissions data by May 1, 2026, and must have their emissions and water use data verified by a third party for the first year of compliance with the building performance standard. This makes 2026 a critical Cambridge building performance standards compliance year for large non-residential properties.

**Washington State**

**BPS Begins This Year**

This year marks the beginning of Washington State’s Building Performance Standards program for large Tier 1 buildings. Washington requires buildings larger than 220,000 square feet to meet the Clean Buildings Performance Standard and report benchmarking and compliance documentation this year. As part of the reporting requirements, buildings must complete an Operations & Maintenance program and an Energy Management Plan to file with the state. In 2026, Washington is also expected to adopt additional regulations that provide alternative compliance options and flexibility for buildings to meet their energy targets. For many owners, this is their first Clean Buildings Performance Standard compliance year, making 2026 a critical deadline for Washington building performance standards.

2026 Performance Evaluation Years for BEPS/BPS

**Washington D.C.**

**2026 Performance Evaluation Year**

While the program has faced setbacks due to budgeting, Washington D.C. will begin its first Performance Evaluation Year under the Building Energy Performance Standards in 2026. Buildings that are 50,000 square feet or more will need to report their 2026 benchmarking data in 2027 to demonstrate whether they meet their performance targets (current guidance indicates a spring 2027 deadline). The performance evaluation year began on January 1, 2026, and will end on December 31, 2026. This 2026 performance evaluation year is a key milestone in Washington, D.C.’s building energy performance standards (BEPS) program.

**Newton’s Last Year For Pre-BPS Improvements**

This year, buildings over 20,000 square feet in Newton, Massachusetts will begin reporting their energy performance. For buildings that are 100,000 square feet or greater, they must begin complying with emissions standard targets in 2027. That means 2026 is the last full year for these larger buildings to make improvements before performance standards take effect. Failing to achieve emissions targets may result in enforcement penalties or payments based on emissions per metric ton. Newton’s 2026 reporting year effectively serves as the final preBPS improvement window for large buildings before emissions standards take effect.

Other Regulations

Building Tune-Ups For Building Performance

Buildings need to have regular maintenance and tune-ups in order to ensure operational efficiency. Building tune-ups check and adjust building energy systems to ensure systems are running efficiently without waste. Jurisdictions that have building tune-ups are expected to have reporting due in the later half of the year in order to give building owners time to conduct tune-ups.

The following cities have building tune-up requirements for 2026:

Data Verifications Required Across Many Jurisdictions

Having accurate and verifiable data is important for determining a building’s performance target and how much performance has to improve in order to achieve regulatory standards. In 2026, several jurisdictions will be requiring buildings to submit a Third-Party Data Verification for 2025 Data. Buildings will need to submit their verified report in order to meet regulatory requirements. Touchstone IQ is qualified to conduct Data Verifications in all jurisdictions.

The following jurisdictions will have Data Verification requirements in 2026:

Energy Audits & Retro-Commissioning Actions Required

Energy audits and retro-commissioning provide a detailed, investment-grade assessment of a building’s energy performance and identifies actionable energy conservation measures to support energy efficiency. Retro-commissioning often complements audits by systematically testing and tuning existing equipment and control sequences to optimize performance. Together, audits and retro-commissioning help building owners establish a clear energy baseline, prioritize energy efficiency measures, and develop a practical compliance plan for buildings to obtain efficiency.

The following jurisdictions have mandatory energy audit and retro-commissioning requirements in 2026: