On May 7, 2020, St. Louis, Missouri Mayor Lyda Krewson signed into law a Building Energy Performance Standard (BEPS) plan that requires buildings in the city to meet energy efficiency standards and establishes resources to help building owners achieve the savings associated with energy efficiency.[1] [2] St. Louis is the first Midwest city and one of only four jurisdictions (includes: Washington State, Washington, D.C., and New York City) in the U.S. to pass a BEPS. The BEPS plan will help the city achieve its goal of eliminating community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The BEPS plan only applies to buildings that are 50,000 square feet or larger and were already required to report their energy and water use under current city law.[3] Under BEPS, these buildings will be required to meet several levels of energy performance. The BEPS plan also requires several energy-saving actions, including upgrading HVAC units, ventilation, lighting and elevators. In addition, the new law sets up a Building Energy Improvement Board to help ensure buildings are complying with new standards and consider owners’ alternative plans when compliance is not possible. The board will be made up of nine members from utilities, labor, affordable housing owners and tenants, and commercial buildings.

[1] https://www.nrdc.org/media/2020/200506

[2] https://www.nrdc.org/experts/nrdc/st-louis-becomes-third-us-city-adopt-bold-standards-slash-energy-waste-buildings

[3] https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/internal-apps/legislative/upload/as-amended/BB219AACombined.pdf