Energy benchmarking is the process of measuring and comparing a building's energy use against similar buildings or established standards. By tracking energy performance over time, building owners and managers can identify inefficiencies, set targets for improvement, and make informed decisions about energy conservation measures. Benchmarking is often a first step in reducing energy consumption, lowering operating costs, and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, ultimately contributing to more sustainable building practices. 

In 2023, the Minnesota legislature passed Minn. Stat. 216C.331. The new law requires all buildings larger than 100,000 square feet to begin reporting energy usage by June 1, 2025, and all building larger than 50,000 square feet by June 1, 2026. Rochester Public Utilities will be supporting Rochester businesses in benchmarking their energy use before the reporting deadlines. The most updated information can be found at the Department of Commerce’s website.

The State of Minnesota Energy Benchmarking Program replaced the voluntary City of Rochester Energy Benchmarking Program in 2023: