ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager: What’s Really Happening and How to Protect Your Data

If you work in property management or sustainability, you’ve probably heard the headlines. Back in May, several news outlets reported that the federal ENERGY STAR program (including ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager) could be eliminated.

The reality in August 2025 looks a little different. Congress is now signaling strong bipartisan support to keep ENERGY STAR funded for at least another year, with the House proposing $32 million and the Senate proposing $36 million for FY 2026. Meanwhile, ESPM remains fully operational and even has a major API update scheduled for August 24.

The uncertainty isn’t gone, but the immediate risk of losing ESPM is lower than it looked in the spring. This is still the time to prepare, not panic.

A Quick Refresher: What is ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager?

Managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE), ESPM has been the industry’s go-to benchmarking tool since 1999. It’s free, widely adopted, and central to many corporate responsibility and compliance efforts.

ESPM helps you:

• Benchmark performance with a 1–100 score against similar properties.
• Earn ENERGY STAR certification for buildings that score 75 or higher.
• Archive energy, water, and waste data, including whole-building utility feeds.
• Meet compliance requirements for programs like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Green Loans, city and state Building Performance Standards, LEED, and GRESB.

Where Things Stand Now

Earlier this year, funding cuts in the proposed federal budget put the future of ENERGY STAR in question. As of August, appropriations committees in both the House and Senate are working to maintain — and possibly increase — funding. A final budget decision is expected by September 30.

Until then, ESPM continues to process certifications, accept data uploads, and deliver updates. The August API release is a strong sign that the EPA is still investing in the platform’s infrastructure.

What’s at Risk if the Program Changes?

If ESPM funding were cut, building owners and operators could face:

• Loss of official ENERGY STAR scores.
• Disruption to compliance reporting in cities and states that require ESPM submissions, including New York City, Denver, Los Angeles, Seattle, Boston, and Washington D.C.
• Gaps in data history without proactive backups.
• Delays in certifications, impacting leasing and investor reporting.

How Conservice is Protecting Clients

We know how critical ESPM data is to your sustainability strategy and compliance reporting. That’s why we’ve taken proactive steps:

• Comprehensive backups: Complete ESPM data backup for all S2 and Synergy clients began in March and continues regularly. S2 customers receive monthly automatic updates for consumption data and property details.
• Secure storage: Data is archived across multiple secure locations, including AWS and Salesforce for Goby and S2, and protected formats for Synergy and Capturis clients.
• Utility coordination: We’re working directly with providers to safeguard whole-building data feeds in the event of disruption.
• Industry advocacy: We’re in ongoing discussions with the EPA, the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT), GRESB, and other stakeholders to protect access to ESPM or develop alternatives if needed.

Small Steps to Take Now

Even with improved funding prospects, it’s smart to prepare:

1. Download your ESPM portfolio into Excel.
2. Identify critical datasets — energy, water, waste, GHG emissions, and building details.
3. Map data flows to understand dependencies.
4. Assign a team member to oversee backups and track ESPM updates.

If you’re unsure where to start, our consulting team can help you create a tailored backup and continuity plan.

Stay informed

We’re dedicated to keeping you updated as changes arise. Subscribe to ESG Alpha and follow us on LinkedIn.

You can also track developments via the EPA’s ENERGY STAR page.

Quick FAQ: Additional Details

What happens to certifications if ESPM is disrupted?
Certifications are still being processed, though more slowly than usual. If ESPM went offline, certifications would likely pause until a new pathway is available.

Can Conservice back up data for non-clients?
Yes. Non-clients can connect and share their ESPM profiles with us so we can include their data in regular backups.

Is ESPM still being updated by the EPA?
Yes. The EPA is actively maintaining the platform. Version 25.0 of the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager API is scheduled for release on August 24, 2025.

What’s the current funding outlook?
As of August 2025, the House has proposed $32 million and the Senate $36 million in FY 2026 funding for ENERGY STAR. A final budget decision is expected by September 30.

Could state or local laws still require ESPM even if the federal program ends?
Yes. Many jurisdictions with building performance standards (BPS) — including New York City, Denver, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Washington D.C. — specify ESPM for compliance reporting.

What can building owners do to advocate for the program?
Industry groups such as the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT) recommend contacting your Congressional representatives. The USGBC offers a simple online form for outreach.

Bottom line: ESPM is still running, Congress is leaning toward keeping it funded, and the platform is getting technical upgrades. But staying prepared ensures your data, compliance, and sustainability goals remain secure no matter what happens in Washington.

Contact us today to safeguard your portfolio data, ensure compliance, and keep your sustainability goals on track — no matter what happens.

Jack Davis

With nearly three decades working at the intersection of utilities and real estate, Jack has seen some things. A natural consultant and skilled problem solver, he has designed and managed numerous award-winning ESG programs and market transformation initiatives.