Ann Arbor releases first annual energy and water benchmarking report; compliance climbs but remains incomplete

Connor Daley, energy coordinator for the City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations, presented the City of Ann Arbor Energy and Water Benchmarking Annual Report at the Energy Commission meeting on Jan. 14, 2025. The report summarizes benchmarking participation, data accuracy, utility access and early performance trends for properties covered by the ordinance enacted in October 2021.

Daley told the commission that benchmarking targets are intended to support future programs and property-level decisions and that the program’s objective is outreach and data collection rather than punitive enforcement. "When we're looking at building performance, we can't improve what we can't measure," Daley said.

The nut graf: benchmarking targets large commercial and multifamily buildings because buildings produce roughly two-thirds of local greenhouse gas emissions; a functioning, accurate data set is the first step to targeted policies or incentives.

Key findings in the presentation and report

- Compliance and participation: Daley reported compliance rose about tenfold through 2024, from roughly 3% compliance for 2023 reporting early in the year to an approximately 32% compliance rate for the most recent reporting year, with participation (properties that have…