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.Get Your Free Compliance Quote Today
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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A non-compliance or late compliance fee of $202 will be issued, and a notice will be sent to the building owner's mailing address. This fee may be subject to late fees, collection fees, and interest as defined in LAMC Sec. 98.0411.
Please note: Payment of the non-compliance fee does not result in compliance. The building will remain out of compliance and may be subject to further legal action. Additionally, compliance status is publicly posted and may eventually be recorded on the property as an open violation. -
No. The EBEWE ordinance only requires that the audit be completed. Implementation of recommendations is not mandatory.
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No. Only a Declaration of Completion is submitted to the city for approval. The full audit report is retained by the building owner and is not forwarded to the city.
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The A/RCx Audit requires an ASHRAE Level 2 audit, which includes a full walkthrough of the building and a detailed analysis of energy and water usage.
The Benchmarking process is conducted online using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and provides a high-level assessment of the building’s energy and water performance based on utility data.
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At Inland Empire Energy, we always explore exemption pathways first to help clients save money and simplify compliance. However, most properties do not qualify for exemptions. The EBEWE program outlines several exemption criteria, but only a select group of buildings meet these requirements.
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 EBEWE compliance requirements—fast, accurate, and stress-free.
Prefer to connect directly?
Call us at 909-906-0840
Email us at team@inlandempireenergy.com