NY A08779

Requires owners of "covered buildings" (buildings over 25,000 square feet in cities with populations under one million, or multiple buildings/condominiums totaling over 50,000 square feet) to benchmark energy and water use annually by May 1st, starting in 2021.

Mandates submission of benchmarking data to the EPA's benchmarking tool, with the Department of State authorized to designate complementary interfaces and promulgate implementing rules and regulations.

Requires building owners to request energy use information from tenants with separately metered units by February 15th annually, and tenants must comply; owners remain responsible for benchmarking even if tenants fail to report.

Directs the Department of State to make benchmarking information public on its website by September 1, 2021 for non-residential buildings and September 1, 2022 for residential buildings, including energy utilization index, water use per square foot, and comparative ratings.

Empowers the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to make recommendations on benchmarking consultant qualifications, oversight, and exemptions by September 1, 2020, with the Department of State issuing annual implementation reports.