Oregon’s Building Performance Standard
About the standards
In 2023, the Oregon Legislature passed the Building Performance Standard (BPS) to encourage large commercial buildings to be more energy efficient.
The law requires certain large commercial building owners to measure, report and reduce their energy use. This process is often called benchmarking, and it helps you understand how your building uses energy over time. It’s the first step to lowering operating costs because when you know where your energy is going, you can identify improvements to save money and help you meet the standards.
Avista has options to help you navigate the requirements.
Paths to compliance
Once you understand the basics, it's time to plan. Learn more from the Oregon Department of Energy about how to benchmark your building, submit data, and stay on track to meet the requirements and deadlines.
Benchmark your building
Use the ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager tool to track your building's energy use index (EUI) and meet reporting requirements.
Support from Energy Trust of Oregon
Energy Trust of Oregon offers guidance and incentives to help businesses comply with Oregon’s Building Performance Standards.
Frequently asked questions
The Oregon Building Performance Standard (BPS) is a mandatory program requiring commercial buildings over 20,000 sq ft to meet energy efficiency targets, with phased compliance starting June 1, 2028.
The program, administered by the Oregon Department of Energy, aims to reduce energy use, lower utility costs, and cut carbon emissions from commercial buildings.
Buildings are divided into two main tiers based on gross floor area and property type:
- Tier 1: Buildings over 35,000 sq ft. hotels, motels and other non-residential buildings
- Tier 2: Buildings 20,000–34,999 sq ft, hotels, motels, non-residential buildings, and all multifamily residential, hospitals, schools, barracks, dormitories, universities, prisons, and care facilities buildings 35,000 sq ft and up
Some buildings may qualify for exemptions, such as those primarily used for manufacturing, industrial, or agricultural purposes.
The BPS is being phased in over several years and your deadline depends on your building’s size and tier.
| Tier | Building size | Earliest submission date | Submission date |
| 1 | ≥200,000 sq ft | July 1, 2026 | June 1, 2028 |
| 1 | ≥90,000 sq ft | July 1, 2026 | June 1,2029 |
| 1 | ≥35,000 sq ft | July 1, 2026 | June 1, 2030 |
| 2 | 20,000-34,999 sq ft | July 1, 2026 | June 1, 2028 |
Currently, penalties for non-compliance apply only to Tier 1 buildings. Penalties are capped at a maximum value of $5,000, plus one dollar per square foot of gross floor area per year, based on the duration of any continuing violation. Penalties may be assessed for each compliance period.
Some building owners have reported receiving misleading letters from businesses that perform energy services. The letters look like they may be official communications from the State of Oregon and may warn that your building has missed a compliance date.
If you receive a letter or offer related to Oregon’s BPS:
- Check the source: Official mailed notices from the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) will follow its sample Building Owner Notification letter.
- Verify the provider: Energy professionals providing OR BPS services must meet experience and certification requirements, complete the prequalification process and be included on ODOE’s OR BPS Energy Professional Listings before offering these services.
- When in doubt, verify before responding: Check information about requirements, deadlines and incentives against the Oregon Department of Energy’s BPS information before hiring a provider or taking action.
Visit the Oregon Department of Energy’s website to learn more.
Washington Clean Buildings Standards
Own or operate a building in both Washington and Oregon? Washington has its own building performance standards required by Washington's Clean Buildings Act (HB1257).