California AB-802 Compliance
California Assembly Bill 802 (AB-802) establishes a statewide energy benchmarking and disclosure program for large buildings. The law is designed to improve transparency in building energy performance, support energy efficiency investments, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.What is California’s AB-802 Benchmarking Law?
California Assembly Bill 802 (AB-802) establishes a statewide energy benchmarking and disclosure program for large buildings. The law is designed to improve transparency in building energy performance, support energy efficiency investments, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Under AB-802, utilities must provide aggregated energy usage data for covered buildings to owners or their agents, enabling benchmarking through the U.S. EPA’s ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager. The California Energy Commission (CEC) oversees compliance and public disclosure.
Who Must Comply?
Compliance is required for:
Commercial and multifamily buildings in California that meet the definition of a “covered building”:
Buildings with no residential utility accounts, or
Buildings with five or more active utility accounts (residential or nonresidential)
Exemptions apply to:
Buildings with 16 or fewer residential utility accounts (not required to report)
Buildings not meeting the definition of “covered building”
Buildings subject to local benchmarking ordinances that fulfill CEC requirements
What’s Required?
Annual Benchmarking
Building owners must submit energy usage data to the California Energy Commission using ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager.
Due Date: Varies by building type and CEC schedule
Benchmarking reports must include:
Aggregated energy usage data for the past 12 months
Site and source Energy Use Intensity (EUI)
ENERGY STAR score (if applicable)
Building characteristics as required by CEC
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failure to comply with AB-802 benchmarking and disclosure requirements may result in civil fines imposed by the California Energy Commission, as authorized under Section 25321 of the Public Resources Code. These fines apply to violations of data submission rules and may be enforced through regulatory action.
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How We Help
Benchmarking Services
Inland Empire Energy provides complete benchmarking services using ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager. We handle data requests, validation, and submission to ensure full compliance with AB-802 regulations.
Utility Data Coordination
We work directly with utilities to obtain aggregated energy usage data, ensuring timely delivery and accurate reporting. Our team navigates authorization protocols and data formatting requirements.
Exemption Evaluation
Not every building needs to report. We assess your eligibility for exemptions based on building size, occupancy, and local ordinance compliance—saving you time and money.
Reporting & Documentation
We manage the entire compliance process—from utility coordination to CEC submission and confirmation—so you stay informed and compliant without administrative burden.
Why Choose Inland Empire Energy
Deep Expertise in Benchmarking Compliance
We bring hands-on experience in AB-802 compliance, ENERGY STAR benchmarking, and utility data coordination for both commercial and multifamily buildings.
Licensed Professional Oversight
Our firm is led by a California licensed engineer, ensuring technical accuracy and regulatory compliance at every step.
Data-Driven Insights
Our recommendations are based on your building’s actual performance data—not assumptions—delivering actionable insights you can trust.
Cost-Conscious, Compliance-Focused
We prioritize efficiency and ROI. If an exemption applies or a reduced scope makes more financial sense, we’ll guide you there—always with your bottom line in mind.
Responsive, Client-Centered Communication
We keep you informed with clear, timely updates and a commitment to your satisfaction. No upselling. No jargon. Just honest, expert guidance.
Questions & Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
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The California Energy Commission (CEC) may issue civil fines for noncompliance with AB 802 benchmarking requirements. Before fines begin, the CEC provides a 30‑day period to correct the violation. Owners who miss the June 1 reporting deadline are urged to submit their data as soon as possible.
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Yes. Once the required benchmarking report is fully submitted through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and accepted by the CEC, the building is considered compliant. Paying potential fines does not itself bring a building into compliance — only submitting the missing report does.
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The Energy Commission provides a 30‑day correction window after issuing a formal notice of violation. During this time, owners can submit the required benchmarking report to avoid accruing civil penalties.
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Building owners can confirm submission directly in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, and the CEC provides a reporting link that automatically logs the user into their Portfolio Manager account to submit the report
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The CEC FAQ explains that gross floor area includes all interior space, including basements and mezzanines, but excludes parking areas unless otherwise specified.
Need More Help?
Ready to Get Compliant?
Fill out the form below and our team will reach out within 1 business day to help you meet your AB 802 benchmarking requirements—fast, accurate, and stress‑free.
Prefer to connect directly?
Call us at 909-906-0840
Email us at team@inlandempireenergy.com