What is DC BEPS?
DC BEPS, the Building Energy Performance Standards, is a Washington DC program that requires covered buildings to meet an energy performance standard set for their property type, using annual benchmarking data. Buildings below the standard must improve over a multi-year compliance cycle. It was established by the Clean Energy DC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2018.
What it is
DC BEPS builds on the District's long-running benchmarking requirement. Each property type has a standard, and buildings that fall below it enter a compliance cycle in which they must improve.
Owners can choose among compliance pathways, such as a performance pathway based on measured energy reduction or a prescriptive pathway based on implementing approved measures. The District Department of Energy and Environment administers the program.
Standards are reset for each new cycle, and the size threshold for coverage has been lowered over time to bring more buildings in.
Who it applies to
Owners of covered private and District-owned buildings in Washington DC. Check the Department of Energy and Environment for current thresholds, standards and cycle dates.
How it is measured
Compliance is assessed from benchmarked data, most often reported through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.
- Annual benchmarked energy use by fuel
- ENERGY STAR score or EUI against the property type standard
- Pathway choice and measures implemented
- Measured improvement over the compliance cycle
How Aqueduct helps
Aqueduct supplies the same measured inputs DC BEPS relies on: benchmarked consumption and verified improvement per building.
- Metered energy per building ready for Portfolio Manager
- Weather-normalized aQ EnergySmart baselines that show progress through the cycle
- Measurement and verification of each measure at the meter
- aQ Assurance reports for the owner and their consultant