June 1, 2025 was the first deadline for Minnesota state benchmarking requirements, which covered buildings 100,000 square feet and larger. This year, more buildings are covered by the law and must report their energy usage.
While several Minnesota cities previously required energy use data benchmarking disclosures from municipal and other large buildings (including St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Edina), the State of Minnesota now operates a Large Building Energy Benchmarking Program.
Under this program, owners of large buildings must upload utility data into their ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager and file an annual report using the state’s Building Portal.
Where the Program Applies
The statewide benchmarking requirement covers buildings 50,000 square feet and larger in these areas:
- Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington counties
- The cities of Duluth, Rochester, and St. Cloud
Reporting Requirements & Deadlines
There are two compliance classes and deadlines covered under this program:
- Class 1 Properties (100,000+ sq ft): First required to report energy use by June 1, 2025
- Class 2 Properties (50,000–99,999 sq ft): First required to report energy use by June 1, 2026
If your building meets these thresholds, you must file annually by June 1 going forward.
How to Ensure Benchmarking Compliance in Minnesota
To comply, building owners need to:
- Track 12 full months of energy data with ENERGY STAR’s Portfolio Manager
- Run the Data Quality Checker and correct any issues
- Connect and share properties with the State of Minnesota
- Submit the annual Energy Reporting Form through the Minnesota Benchmarking Portal
Benchmarking Experience You Can Trust
Whether you’re facing reporting deadlines for the first time or managing compliance across multiple buildings and jurisdictions, EnergyPrint handles the entire process for you. It’s not just Minnesota, we can help you navigate benchmarking requirements and submissions nationwide.
If we already handle your city benchmarking submissions, we’ll also help you comply with state requirements. And if you’re brand new to the benchmarking process, reach out to your CSM or contact us to get started.