Compliance options

Modified on Fri, 25 Apr at 1:37 PM

Buildings owners can choose between four compliance pathways:


1. Complete a building tune-up.


2. Choose an Alternative Compliance Pathway. Buildings that are already highly energy efficient, or those that have recently undergone improvements that substantially improve energy efficiency can apply for an Alternative Compliance Pathway by submitting proof of one of the follow conditions or certifications:



Alternative Compliance Pathway


Required Documentation

Certified ENERGY STAR score of +75 for the compliance year


(1) ENERGY STAR Certificate of Achievement, and


(2)Statement of Energy Performance from Energy Star

LEED Gold or Platinum (O+M) within last 3 years


Certificate from the USGBC dated within the last 3 years

Complete full commissioning or retro-commissioning within last 3 years


(1) A completed, signed copy of this form, and


(2) A copy of a retro-commissioning report dated within the last 3 years

Net Zero Energy Certification within last 3 years


A certificate issued by the ILFI for Net Zero Energy Certification dated within the last 3 years 

Passive House Certification within the last 3 years


A certificate issued by the PHIUS for Passive House Certification dated within the last 3 years

+10% improvement in energy efficiency over last 4 years


(1) A completed, signed copy of this form, and


(2) Data export from MGE or Alliant showing year over year energy reductions. This is referred to as a "MyMeter Download" for MGE or can be found in the Cost/Revenue report from Alliant.

Completing ASHRAE Level II audit and implemented recommendations with a simple payback of <2 years within last 2 years


(1) A completed, signed copy of this form, and


(2) A report that meets the minimum criteria for a ‘Level II’ energy audit as defined by ASHRAE, with a cover page that notes all recommendations with less than a 2 year pay-back have been implemented. 

Demonstrate building has energy use intensity (EUI) of 20 kBTU/sq. ft. for at least 2 of the last 3 years


(1) A completed, signed copy of this form, and


(2) A copy of the Statement of Energy Performance (SEP) for each of the two January to December calendar years with weather-normalized site EUIs equal to or below 20 kBTU/SF


Received any of the following awards within the last 3 years:

  • Dane County Climate Champion recognition in the category of Building Energy Use

  • Better Buildings Goal Achievers recognition from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Challenge

  • BOMA 360 designation and received +6 points for Energy Star Benchmarking, Building Energy Management, and Energy Audit and System Commissioning

  • BOMA TOBY award in the Office or Earth categories with +5 or +6 points, respectively, for Benchmarking & Performance Rating


Proof of award within the last three years



3. Apply for a 1-year extension

4. Apply for an exemption



For more information, check out the Madison BESP Official Website or Submit a Ticket to the Help Desk.

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