Recognition 

Every year, the City of Saint Paul celebrates building owners, managers, engineers, and others at the annual Recognition Ceremony for their work and leadership in energy efficiency. The City’s energy benchmarking ordinance requires all buildings over 50,000 square feet to benchmark their energy and water usage annually. The Energize Saint Paul team formally recognizes the building owners and managers who go above and beyond by fully benchmarking their buildings and demonstrating leadership in energy efficiency. The City’s criteria for recognition vary from year to year, but recognition is often given to buildings that obtain an ENERGY STAR Certification, achieve a high ENERGY STAR score, or reduce their Energy Use Intensity (EUI) through capital improvements and energy management.   

The energy used in buildings is currently one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Saint Paul. The work that building operators do every year to track their energy use and make energy efficiency improvements to their buildings contributes directly to the City of Saint Paul’s goal of combatting climate change and reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. 

2023 Recognition 

The Energize Saint Paul team was thrilled to host the 2023 Recognition Ceremony at Summit Brewing, celebrating a significant milestone in the city's sustainability efforts. In the past year, a total of 627 buildings participated in benchmarking initiatives, contributing to a remarkable 91% compliance rate. This achievement places Saint Paul among the top cities in Minnesota with benchmarking policies, showcasing its commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices.

Click here to see the 2023 Benchmarking Report 

2023 Recognition Ceremony

Energy Efficiency Change Makers 

  • The Verdant, Sherman Associates

  • The Lumin at Highland Bridge, CommonBond Communities

  • The Communities of River Crossing, Stonebridge

ENERGY STAR Certifications Achieved in 2022 

  • Spruce Tree Center, MetroPlains Management 

  • Infor Commons, Frauenshuh, Inc 

  • 401 Securian & 400 Building, Cushman & Wakefield

  • Cosmopolitan Apartments, Cushman & Wakefield

  • First National Bank, EnergyPrint

  • Golden Rule Building, Commercial Real Estate Services

  • Penfield Apartments, Village Green Management 

  • Wells Fargo Place, Unilev Management Corp.

2022 Recognition 

The Energize Saint Paul team along with Mayor Carter were excited to host the 2022 Recognition Ceremony at Lake Monster Brewing as the first in-person ceremony since 2020. More than 600 buildings were benchmarked this year, helping us achieve a 90% compliance rate, one of the highest compliance rates among cities in Minnesota with benchmarking policies. 

Click here to see the 2022 Benchmarking Report 

Mayor Carter at 2022 Recognition Ceremony

ENERGY STAR Certifications Achieved in 2021 

  • Penfield Apartments, Village Green Management 

  • 401 Securian & 400 Building, Cushman & Wakefield/ Northmarq 

  • Prior Works, Green Expectations 

  • Travelers, Travelers 

  • Infor Commons, Frauenshuh, Inc 

  • Spruce Tree Center, MetroPlains Management 

Energy Efficiency Change Makers 

  • Court International, Suntide Commercial Realty 

    • Energy management system optimization and more - reduced energy use by nearly 40% in three years. 

  • 1246 University Ave West, Nuway 

    • Heating and cooling system replacement and more - reduced energy use by 24% in one year. 

2021 Recognition 

This year, Saint Paul’s energy efficiency leaders were celebrated virtually at the 2021 Recognition Ceremony, which was once again held online due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic. 2021 also marked the first year that all buildings 50,000 square feet and larger were required to benchmark, which nearly doubled the pool of buildings eligible for recognition. 

Rec Cer photo 2021

ENERGY STAR Certifications Achieved in 2020 

  • Wells Fargo Place, Unilev Management Corp 

  • Travelers, Travelers 

  • 401 Securian & 400 Building, Minnesota Life 

  • Infor Commons, Frauenshuh, Inc 

  • Prior Works, Musson Contracting 

  • 808 Berry Place, Dominium 

  • The Golden Rule Building, Commercial Real Estate Services, Inc. 

  • Penfield Apartments, LaSalle Investment Management 

  • The Residences at Custom House, Steven Scott Management 

  • Dept. of Human Services, Colliers International and State of Minnesota 

  • Dept. of Natural Resources, Colliers International and State of Minnesota 

  • Pollution Control Agency, Colliers International and State of Minnesota 

  • Dept. of Labor and Industry, Colliers International and State of Minnesota 

LEED Certifications Achieved in 2020 

  • 401 Securian, Minnesota Life 

  • Silver, LEED v4: Operations and Maintenance 

  • Infor Commons, Frauenshuh, Inc. 

  • Recertified, LEED v4: Operations and Maintenance 

  • Tommie North Residence Hall, University of St. Thomas 

  • Silver, LEED v4 BD+C: New Construction 

  • Tommie East Residence Hall, University of St. Thomas 

  • Platinum, LEED V4 BD+C: Homes and Multifamily Midrise 

2020 Recognition 

The 2020 Recognition Ceremony differed from previous years for a few reasons. Due to COVID-19, it was the first ceremony to be held virtually. 2020 also marked the first year of the City ordinance requiring buildings at or above 100,000 square feet to benchmark their energy use. 

ENERGY STAR Scores over 95, Commercial 

  • Travelers South, Travelers Saint Paul 

  • Energy Technology Center, Wellington Management 

  • The Golden Rule, Commercial Real Estate Services Inc. 

ENERGY STAR Scores Over 95, Multifamily 

  • Stuart Co. 

  • Synergy Conservice 

  • Steven Scott 

  • Excelsior Management 

  • Peak Campus 

  • Mid Continent Management 

Participants in Energy Concierge Service to Date 

  • Halverson Blaiser Group 

  • Wellington Management 

  • Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington County 

  • PaLu Enterprises 

Last Edited: January 9, 2024