In 2022 the Maryland General Assembly enacted Building Energy Performance Standards or BEPS. More than a dozen states and municipalities have enacted BEPS and it’s easy to see why. The program has benefits for air quality, energy affordability, grid stability, and quality of life. As Churchill said “We shape our buildings, and afterwards our buildings shape us.” Improving our buildings improves our lives. 

I’m thrilled to say that BEPS is currently in effect, regulating the 9,000 buildings over 35,000 square feet, reducing pollution today. 

This year, the Maryland Department of the Environment has introduced a bill that would amend BEPS to allow building owners additional flexibility in complying with BEPS, SB256 HB49. The bill as introduced is pretty short, but MDE has negotiated with lawmakers  a package of amendments that provide a great deal of additional flexibility and leeway for building owners. The bottom line is that if the bill passes as amended no building owner will have to do anything unless the investment pays for itself over a fixed period of time. 

I’m grateful to MDE and the legislators for developing legislation that helps out building owners while maintaining the program. 

Do dive into exactly what changes are being proposed to BEPS, my guest today is Cliff Majersik with the Institute for Market Transformation. He was the policy lead in developing the first BEPS in the country, and has been involved in every other BEPS policy across the country. I can think of no one better to have this conversation with.