Energy benchmarking deadline approaches

The mayor’s office of sustainability reminds commercial building owners to meet the upcoming energy benchmarking data submission deadline of July 20. The new law, passed in April, requires private and city-owned buildings over 50,000 square feet in size to benchmark and report their energy use annually to the city of Atlanta. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in a fine of $1,000 per property.

All covered properties were issued notification letters last month that included assistance resources and the upcoming deadline. Since the ordinance’s adoption, more than 270 building professionals have been trained on the new law. The building performance data collected will be made transparent to the public and used to promote efficiency.

“Atlanta’s commercial buildings are leading the way for energy and water conservation,” said Stephanie Stuckey-Benfield, director of the mayor’s office of sustainability. “With this new ordinance, we have added a vital tool which will enable both privately and publicly-owned buildings to continue their strong track record of conservation.”