DGS benchmarks the energy performance of all District-owned buildings in its portfolio that are 10,000 square feet and larger using the U.S. EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager platform. Benchmarking allows us to track building performance year over year, identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen accountability to District residents.
Visit the DC Building Energy Performance Map to explore the energy performance of individual buildings across the DGS portfolio.
Energy benchmarking in the District is required under the Clean and Affordable Energy Act of 2008, which mandates that buildings track and report energy and water consumption through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. The Clean Energy DC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2018 further strengthened this framework by establishing the District’s Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS). Under BEPS, buildings above the applicable size threshold must meet defined energy performance targets and demonstrate ongoing compliance through the benchmarking program.
DGS’ Sustainability and Energy Management Division (DGS-SE) processes, analyzes, and tracks energy and utility consumption across the DGS portfolio, which supports more than 77 District government agencies. Utility services include electricity (including wind and on-site solar PV), natural gas, steam, water and sewer, stormwater (impervious area) fees, and waste services such as trash, recycling, and organics collection. By analyzing this data, DGS-SE informs energy management strategies, prioritizes retrofit investments, and advances cost-reduction and climate goals across District facilities.