Benchmarking Ordinance

Print Feedback

Building Energy and Water Use Benchmarking Ordinance Homepage

In December, 2016 the Evanston City Council voted to approve the energy and water benchmarking ordinance which requires large buildings in Evanston to track and report their annual energy and water usage.

View the full ordinance text here.

Workshops

Register for one of our many free benchmarking workshops co-hosted by the U.S. Green Building Council Illinois Chapter.

Register Now

Questions should be directed to benchmarking@cityofevanston.org or 847-448-4311, while in Evanston simply dial 3-1-1.

Compliance Process

Getting Started
- Determine what Buildings are covered and when they have to Comply
  - Covered Buildings List
  - Exemption Request
- Identify a Benchmarking Lead
Benchmark
- Create ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager Account
- Gather basic information required to set up property profiles
- Request Whole-Building Aggregate Data
  - Electricity (ComEd)
  - Natural Gas (Nicor) - Call or email Nicor Gas’s customer service and request your annual gas data for the building or buildings you are reporting. Call 888-642-6748 or email customercare@nicorgas.com.
  - Water (Evanston)
- Enter energy and water use data into Portfolio Manager
- Check for Possible Data Errors
Verify
- Have a Certified Professional Verify the Data
  - Recognized training programs and credentials
  - Verification through ENERGY STAR Certification
  - Pro-Bono Data Verification
- Generate a Data Verification Checklist
- Add the Certified Professional information to Portfolio Manager
Report

Generate and review the property report in Portfolio Manager
Submit Report to the City through Portfolio Manager
Retain your Records

Helpful Materials

Supporting materials for the Evanston Benchmarking compliance process, ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, ComEd Energy Usage Data System, and much more.

Ordinance Background

Learn more about the development and passage of the ordinance.