Madison, Wisconsin, Launches Benchmarking Initiative for Smaller Buildings

Key Takeaways

Madison’s Building Energy Savings Program requires annual energy benchmarking and four-year tune-ups for large commercial buildings.
The program, which currently affects buildings over 100,000 square feet, will expand to include those over 50,000 square feet by June 30, 2025.
Deadlines for tune-ups have been extended to October 30, 2026, for larger buildings and October 30, 2027, for mid-sized buildings, with additional training sessions available.

Energy Efficiency Initiative Gains Momentum

Madison, Wisconsin, has launched its second year of the Building Energy Savings Program, aimed at reducing the energy consumption of large commercial buildings. This initiative now mandates that buildings over 100,000 square feet benchmark their energy use annually and undergo energy tune-ups every four years. According to city officials, commercial buildings are responsible for nearly 45% of the greenhouse gas emissions in Madison, underlining the importance of these measures.

Benchmarking, which involves monitoring energy usage, has proven to significantly lower energy waste. The city estimates that consistent benchmarking can reduce annual energy usage by up to 10%, while regular tune-ups typically result in an average energy use reduction of 12%.

To broaden the program’s impact, Madison plans to expand these requirements to buildings over 50,000 square feet by June 30, 2025. This strategy is supported by insights from Cliff Majersik, a senior advisor from the Institute for Market Transformation. He emphasizes that accurate data collection is crucial for effective benchmarking and compliance with building performance standards. This data will help building operators qualify for potential tax incentives and ensure fair treatment across the board.

In response to potential challenges faced by building operators, Madison has also extended deadlines for necessary tune-ups. Operators are required to check and adjust energy systems—including lighting and HVAC controls—to enhance efficiency and prevent unnecessary expenses. The new deadlines are set for October 30, 2026, for buildings larger than 100,000 square feet, and October 30, 2027, for those between 50,000 and 99,999 square feet.

Additionally, an “early bird tune-up submission” option will be available in 2025 for buildings seeking alternative compliance pathways. This allows building owners to demonstrate improvements in energy efficiency before the 2026 deadline. Operators interested in the early submission have until October 30, 2025, to apply.

To facilitate the transition, the city will conduct virtual training sessions over the next four months, aimed at assisting building operators with the benchmarking and reporting processes. Further details on these training sessions are expected to be released soon. Madison’s initiative reflects a growing commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency in reducing the city’s carbon footprint and promoting economic benefits for local businesses.

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