Minnesota Energy Benchmarking

Navigate Compliance for State, Minneapolis, and Edina Standards with a Certified Energy Manager

As of 2025, Minnesota's energy regulations have shifted. A new statewide standard (Minn. Stat. 216C.331) now works alongside—and often overlaps with—existing city ordinances in Minneapolis and Edina. Sheehan Engineering simplifies this complexity. We provide turnkey energy benchmarking services that satisfy all jurisdictional requirements in a single, unified process.

Most Common

State Only Compliance

Buildings 50,000+ SF

Applies to properties located outside of Minneapolis & Edina.

This is a newer statewide requirement, which now includes properties >50,000 SF as of 2026 to report energy data to the State. Currently a disclosure-only requirement.

Deadline: June 1st
Risk: Low (Reporting Only)
Strictest Standard

Minneapolis Dual Reporting

Buildings 50,000+ SF

Applies to properties within Minneapolis.

You must report to BOTH the City and State. Minneapolis enforces a Performance Standard (EUI targets).

See Performance Requirements ↻
Deadline: June 1st
Risk: High (Click for details)
The Audit Trap

Escape the Cycle

The "Hamster Wheel": Buildings scoring <75 must perform a mandatory audit every 5 years.

The Way Out: While the City offers basic assessments to check the box, a proper ASHRAE energy audit finds the upgrades that raise your score—exempting you from future audits entirely.

Action: Unlock real savings now.
Tap to flip back ↻
Mid-Market

Edina Local Ordinance

Buildings 25,000 – 50,000 SF

Applies to mid-sized properties located in Edina only.

Buildings >50,000 SF report to State only.

Deadline: June 1st
Risk: Low (Reporting Only)

Determine Your Building's Requirements

Contact us directly, or fill out the form, to start the conversation!

Email: BenchmarkMN@sheehan-eng.com

Call: (773) 312-2898

Sheehan Engineering | Your MN Benchmarking Provider

Our expertise is in retro-commissioning and energy auditing. We believe that most buildings can achieve significant energy savings and emissions reductions by optimizing the systems they already own. We analyze your building's HVAC, lighting, and control systems to find low-cost, high-impact solutions that cut utility costs and ensure full regulatory compliance.

As licensed engineers and certified professionals, versed in Minnesota’s requirements, we are your single, expert partner. We provide a direct, technical, and cost-effective path to making your building more efficient, comfortable, and compliant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Minneapolis EUI targets, Edina ordinances, and Statewide compliance.

If your Energy Star score is below 75, your building is classified as "Low Performing." You are legally required to perform an ASHRAE Level I Energy Audit or a Retuning study every 5 years to identify potential improvements. Submitting this evaluation keeps you compliant, but raising your score above 75 exempts you from the requirement entirely.
Generally, no. The jurisdictions have coordinated to avoid double-work.
  • Buildings > 50,000 SF: Report ONLY to the State of Minnesota.
  • Buildings 25,000 – 50,000 SF: Report ONLY to the City of Edina.
Our team manages this routing for you to ensure the right report goes to the right agency.
Yes. If your building is over 50,000 sq ft and located in Minneapolis, you must comply with both ordinances.

Because Minneapolis enforces a Performance Standard (requiring action on low scores) and the State currently requires only Disclosure (reporting data), you must submit your Energy Star data to both entities annually.
June 1st is the unified deadline for the State of Minnesota, the City of Minneapolis, and the City of Edina. We recommend starting the data verification process in March or April to ensure you have time to correct any utility data errors before the submission window closes.
Accurate benchmarking requires correct classification of meters, square footage, and property use types. Errors can artificially lower your score, triggering Minneapolis's mandatory audit requirements.

As a licensed engineering firm, Sheehan Engineering ensures your data is accurate before submission, protecting you from false "Low Performing" flags and the costly audits they trigger.