Kansas City Energy Empowerment Ordinance: A Guide to Compliance for Building Owners

Understanding Kansas City’s Energy Performance Standards

Kansas City has taken significant steps toward reducing energy waste and carbon emissions by implementing the Energy Empowerment Ordinance. This regulation requires large commercial, institutional, and multifamily buildings to track and report their energy and water usage annually.

By establishing energy benchmarking requirements, Kansas City aims to:

• Improve energy efficiency across the city’s building sector.
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet sustainability targets.
• Help property owners identify cost-saving opportunities.

If you own or manage a large commercial or multifamily building in Kansas City, compliance with this ordinance is mandatory. Understanding your reporting requirements and taking proactive measures can help lower energy costs, improve building efficiency, and avoid penalties.

Who Must Comply With Kansas City’s Energy Empowerment Ordinance?

The ordinance applies to:

• Municipal buildings: 10,000 square feet and larger.
• Commercial, industrial, institutional, and multifamily buildings: 50,000 square feet and larger.

If your building meets these criteria, you are required to track and report energy and water consumption annually.

Key Compliance Requirements For Kansas City’s Energy Ordinance

1. Annual Energy & Water Benchmarking

Building owners must track 12 months of energy and water usage and report the data using the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. This process helps property owners:

• Assess building performance and compare against similar properties.
• Identify opportunities for efficiency improvements.
• Track energy reduction efforts over time.

2. Reporting Requirements

• Reports must be submitted to the city by May 1st each year.
• The data should cover the entire previous calendar year.
• Benchmarking reports must be accurate and include all building systems.

3. Public Disclosure of Energy Data

Kansas City makes some benchmarking data publicly available to encourage market-driven efficiency improvements. Transparency helps:

• Tenants and investors evaluate building energy performance.
• Owners compare their buildings to similar properties.
• The city track progress toward sustainability goals.

Compliance Deadlines & Reporting Schedule

• May 1, 2016: Benchmarking began for municipal buildings (10,000 sq. ft. and larger).
• May 1, 2017: Reporting expanded to commercial, industrial, institutional, and multifamily buildings (100,000 sq. ft. and larger).
• May 1, 2018: Compliance extended to all buildings 50,000 sq. ft. and larger.

If your building falls under these categories, you must continue submitting benchmarking reports annually.

Steps to Achieve Compliance

1. Determine If Your Building Is Covered

Review the ordinance criteria and verify if your building meets the square footage thresholds for compliance.

2. Collect Energy & Water Data

Gather consumption data for electricity, natural gas, water, and other utilities for the previous 12 months.

3. Benchmark Using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager

• Set up an account in the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.
• Enter building information and utility data.
• Track performance and compare against similar buildings.

4. Submit Annual Benchmarking Reports

Ensure your energy and water usage report is submitted by May 1st each year to avoid penalties.

5. Identify and Implement Energy Efficiency Upgrades

Once benchmarking data is submitted, analyze the results to identify areas for improvement. Consider:

• HVAC system upgrades to improve heating and cooling efficiency.
• LED lighting retrofits to reduce electricity use.
• Enhanced insulation and air sealing to lower energy waste.

Financial Incentives & Compliance Support

Kansas City offers financial assistance and incentive programs to help property owners meet compliance and improve efficiency:

• Utility rebates for energy efficiency projects.
• PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) financing for energy and water upgrades.
• Federal and state tax credits for electrification and renewable energy.

These programs help lower the cost of compliance and maximize long-term savings for building owners.

Why Compliance Matters For Building Owners

Meeting the requirements of Kansas City’s Energy Empowerment Ordinance offers multiple benefits:

• Lower Energy Costs: Benchmarking identifies energy waste and inefficiencies, reducing utility expenses.
• Improved Building Value: Energy-efficient buildings attract higher-value tenants and buyers.
• Regulatory Risk Reduction: Avoid fines and enforcement actions by staying compliant.
• Sustainability Leadership: Supporting Kansas City’s climate goals enhances corporate responsibility.

Next Steps For Building Owners

If your building is subject to Kansas City’s Energy Empowerment Ordinance, take these immediate steps to ensure compliance:

1. Verify if your building meets compliance requirements.
2. Gather and benchmark energy and water data using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.
3. Submit your annual benchmarking report before May 1st.
4. Analyze benchmarking data and identify efficiency opportunities.
5. Explore available financial incentives to support energy efficiency improvements.