New Jersey (NJ)

October 1st

Notification Process

Residents, managers, or vendors associated with multifamily dwellings may receive notifications from the NJ Board of Public Utilities indicating the obligation to assess power consumption for the year 2022.

Compliance Obligations

Properties listed on the Covered Buildings List, issued by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities as of July 1, 2023, are subject to similar notifications. Failure to meet specified criteria may compel buildings on this list or those receiving written notifications to complete the benchmarking process for 2023.

Documentation Importance

Recipients of such notifications are advised to retain both physical and electronic copies, as they contain vital information necessary for compliance with New Jersey Energy Benchmarking requirements. These details include a unique building ID essential for bringing the property into regulatory compliance.

Affected Building Types

Entities responsible for managing or owning structures exceeding 25,000 square feet, housing commercial or multifamily units, must adhere to NJ Energy Benchmarking Law. Exemptions may be applicable under certain circumstances, including:

• New buildings are exempt from benchmarking obligations until they have been operational for a full calendar year. Certification of operability for benchmarking purposes is facilitated through the MOD-IV New Jersey tax assessment database, with commercial buildings being included in the Covered Buildings list from the second year following construction.
• Buildings undergoing or slated for demolition may be delisted from the Covered Buildings roster upon procurement of a demolition certificate.
• Owners can seek exemption by filing an affidavit or certification of non-occupancy following a building’s vacancy for a complete year (365 days).

In instances of foreclosure or bankruptcy actions during the reporting year, owners may apply for exemption for that specific reporting period. Additional scenarios, such as buildings falling below the size threshold, inaccuracies in the list of covered buildings, or instances where unregulated utilities fail to comply with the 4/50 rule, warrant potential removal from the covered buildings list, contingent upon satisfactory justification.