ACEEE 2026 Summer Study Buildings Proceeding
Compliance Catalysts: How DSM Programs Enable BPS Success
How Utility Programs Can Evolve to Support Building Performance Standard Compliance
Alongside co-authors Faith DeBolt of Lattice Energy Works, Emily Sims of ACEEE, and Grace Callahan of Franklin Energy, Calico’s Juliana Smith has published “Compliance Catalysts: How DSM Programs Enable BPS Success” as part of ACEEE’s 2026 Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings.
From the abstract: “Many U.S. jurisdictions have enacted or are advancing Building Performance Standards (BPS), with first compliance cycles beginning across the country. At the same time, utilities serving these jurisdictions operate Demand Side Management (DSM) programs that often overlap with BPS requirements, creating an opportunity to help building owners meet performance targets while advancing utility energy efficiency goals.”
The paper examines how utility DSM programs are evolving to support BPS compliance, from legacy programs that incidentally contribute to BPS goals, to existing programs such as Strategic Energy Management that are being adapted for direct BPS support, to new offerings designed specifically around compliance outcomes. These approaches can help utilities better connect whole-building energy use, program participation, and progress toward Energy Use Intensity (EUI) targets.
The research also provides a practical framework for utilities at different stages of BPS program maturity. It explores how utilities can adapt program design, measurement and verification, data infrastructure, customer outreach, and partnerships with local governments to better serve BPS-covered buildings. The paper also highlights the importance of supporting affordable housing, nonprofits, and other under-resourced buildings that may face greater financial and technical barriers to compliance.
As BPS policies shift the focus from individual efficiency measures toward whole-building performance, utilities have an opportunity to evolve from traditional resource acquisition programs into broader performance and compliance partners for their customers.
Download the full paper to learn more about how utilities can evolve DSM programs to support BPS compliance, strengthen customer engagement, and accelerate building decarbonization.
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