Montgomery County Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) Regulations Published in the Montgomery County Register, Comment Period is Open for 30 Days
Montgomery County Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS ... Montgomery County
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Montgomery County Announces Draft Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) Executive Regulations
For Immediate Release: Thursday, November 2, 2023
Montgomery County has announced the publication of the draft Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) Executive Regulations in the November 2023 County Register. These regulations are a necessary component of BEPS implementation and align with the county’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). BEPS sets a minimum energy performance threshold for existing covered buildings and aims to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions over a set period.
Public Comment Period
The public is invited to provide comments on the draft Executive Regulations during the 30-day comment period, which ends on November 30, 2023. This feedback will inform the final regulations that will be transmitted to the County Council by December 31, 2023. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is responsible for the implementation and enforcement of BEPS.
Importance of BEPS
Marc Elrich, Montgomery County Executive, highlighted the significance of BEPS in achieving the county’s ambitious climate change goals. He emphasized that efficient building electrification is one of the most effective ways to reduce energy demand and carbon pollution from the built environment.
Key Elements of BEPS Implementation
- Sets final energy performance standards and deadlines by building type
- Establishes a required format for Building Performance Improvement Plans (BPIPs)
- Provides details on the Renewable Energy Allowance to expand renewable energy installations
- Allows for extensions based on building eligibility
The chart below illustrates the number of buildings and their total square footage covered by the Benchmarking and BEPS Law requirements since the initial passage of the Benchmarking Law.
Community Engagement
The County took an innovative approach by appointing community volunteers to an advisory board, the Building Performance Improvement Board, who provided valuable input during the development of the draft BEPS regulations. This engagement with the community is crucial for achieving sustainability goals.
Energy Benchmarking and Technical Assistance
BEPS is built on the foundation of energy benchmarking, which involves tracking a building’s annual energy use and comparing it against past performance and peer buildings nationwide. Building owners can use benchmarking data to identify opportunities for energy savings and manage operational costs. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will continue to use collected benchmarking information to publish an annual report, providing insights into energy consumption patterns and trends.
Montgomery County also offers an Energy-Efficient Building Property Tax Credit for Existing Buildings to incentivize building owners to improve their energy performance. The Montgomery County Green Bank provides technical assistance to assess current energy performance, identify areas of improvement, and connect building owners to financial incentives and financing options.
Submitting Comments
Written comments on the BEPS Regulations must be submitted by November 30, 2023, to Emily Curley, Department of Environmental Protection / Energy, Climate, Compliance Division, 2425 Reedie Drive, 4th Floor, Wheaton, Maryland, 20902; or by emailing Energy@montgomerycountymd.gov.
For more information on Montgomery County’s energy initiatives, please visit the DEP Energy Benchmarking website and the DEP BEPS website.
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Release ID: 23-487
Media Contact: Cindy Peña
Categories: Environment
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
- SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management
- SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Energy performance standards and deadlines by building type
- Building Performance Improvement Plans (BPIPs)
- Renewable Energy Allowance
- Extensions based on building eligibility
- Benchmarking data collected using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager
- Annual report on energy consumption patterns and trends among reported buildings
- Energy-Efficient Building Property Tax Credit for Existing Buildings
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | SDG 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency | – Energy performance standards and deadlines by building type – Building Performance Improvement Plans (BPIPs) – Benchmarking data collected using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management | – Energy performance standards and deadlines by building type – Building Performance Improvement Plans (BPIPs) – Benchmarking data collected using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | – Energy performance standards and deadlines by building type – Building Performance Improvement Plans (BPIPs) – Benchmarking data collected using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager – Renewable Energy Allowance – Extensions based on building eligibility – Annual report on energy consumption patterns and trends among reported buildings – Energy-Efficient Building Property Tax Credit for Existing Buildings |
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Source: www2.montgomerycountymd.gov
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