ENERGY STAR NextGen Certification for Commercial Buildings

Coming This Winter!

The Biden Administration has established a goal of achieving net-zero emissions, economy-wide, by 2050. This will require increases in efficiency and renewable energy capacity, as well as a transition from fossil fuels to clean electricity.

Reflecting the role that buildings have to play in reaching this goal, the EPA is introducing a new level of certification: ENERGY STAR® NextGen™. It will recognize energy-efficient, low-carbon buildings. 

Performance Criteria 

To earn ENERGY STAR NextGen Certification, U.S. commercial and multifamily buildings must be independently verified to: 

1. Demonstrate Superior Energy Performance: The building must achieve an ENERGY STAR score of 75 or higher and meet all criteria associated with ENERGY STAR certification.
2. Use Renewable Energy: The building must obtain at least 30% of the total energy it consumes—or 100% of the total electricity it consumes, if lower—from eligible renewable sources.
3. Meet a Direct Emissions Target: The building’s direct (i.e., onsite) greenhouse gas emissions intensity (GHGi) must be at or below a specified level. 

Learn more:

• Details and EPA’s rationale: Criteria for ENERGY STAR NextGen Certification.
• List of Direct GHGi targets: Technical Reference: ENERGY STAR NextGen GHGi Targets. 

How We Developed These Criteria

In January 2023, we first proposed NextGen certification and eligibility criteria and held an informational webinar. (Read: EPA's Proposed NextGen Criteria; Watch: Webinar recording.) During the month of February, members of the public were invited to submit comments on EPA’s proposal. Forty-five stakeholders submitted more than 100 comments. 

Criteria around energy efficiency are identical to those for ENERGY STAR certification. Criteria around renewable energy are consistent with those of the EPA’s Green Power Partnership Program. Criteria around direct (onsite) emissions were developed through a statistical analysis of the emissions from each building type’s population of ENERGY STAR certified properties.

Learn more:

• EPA’s Responses to Public Comments about ENERGY STAR NextGen Certification.
• Technical Reference: ENERGY STAR NextGen GHGi Targets. 
• EPA’s Green Power Partnership Program requirements. 

FAQs

Who is eligible?

Buildings located in the United States (and U.S. territories) that are eligible to earn ENERGY STAR certification are eligible for ENERGY STAR NextGen certification. (Related: Property types eligible to earn the ENERGY STAR)

When can I apply?

This winter (final date TBD). You can apply within Portfolio Manager.

What’s happening to ENERGY STAR certification?

Nothing! EPA’s existing ENERGY STAR certification will remain available to commercial buildings that earn an ENERGY STAR score of 75 or higher.

Can I apply for both?

Not at the same time. If your building is eligible for both, Portfolio Manager will ask you to choose one.

What if I’m already ENERGY STAR certified? Can I still apply for NextGen certification? 

As a general rule, a building can apply for only one of these certifications in any given year. However, we are allowing an exception to this rule as we introduce NextGen to the market. Specifically:

• Through December 2025: A building that has a current ENERGY STAR certification can “upgrade” to NextGen certification, even if it is within the same year.
• After January 2026: A building that receives ENERGY STAR certification will have to wait 11 months before applying for its next certification (of either type). 

Put another way, if a building earns ENERGY STAR certification any time in 2024 or 2025, it can upgrade to NextGen certification in the same year, regardless of how much time has elapsed; but if that building earns ENERGY STAR certification in 2026 and beyond, it will have to wait 11 months before becoming eligible for NextGen certification.

How to Prepare for the Launch This Fall

We will begin accepting applications for the new ENERGY STAR NextGen certification this fall (final date TBD).

Get ready now so you can be among the first to earn ENERGY STAR NextGen certification! Start by carefully reviewing the criteria to see if you’ll need to take any additional actions to be eligible. For example, if you already have a score of 75 or higher and meet the NextGen Direct GHGi target, you may just need to purchase additional renewable energy. And stay tuned for a webinar with more guidance on how you can prepare for the launch of this new certification.

ENERGY STAR Certification Will Remain Unchanged

EPA’s existing ENERGY STAR certification will remain available to commercial buildings that demonstrate superior energy performance.