Expanding Energy Data Access

Published by BOMA/Chicago on November 9, 2026

Commercial building owners and managers need timely access to utility data to make informed decisions about their properties. Access to both aggregated whole-building data and direct tenant energy bills can support benchmarking and energy-efficiency efforts, help identify demand-response opportunities, and inform renewable energy strategies. BOMA/Chicago is working to ensure Illinois’ new utility data access rules deliver useful, practical information to the commercial real estate community.

BOMA/Chicago recently intervened in the Illinois Commerce Commission’s (ICC) rulemaking for the Utility Data Access Act (UDAA). The law requires utilities to provide whole-building electric and gas data to properties subject to benchmarking requirements, improving access to information that can help owners and managers understand and manage building energy use.

The UDAA followed advocacy by BOMA/Chicago, in partnership with the Illinois Green Alliance and Institute for Market Transformation, to improve Illinois energy legislation. With the law now enacted, the ICC is developing the rules that will govern how utilities provide access to aggregated energy data. BOMA/Chicago will remain actively engaged in the process, advocating for rules that are practical, equitable, and responsive to the needs of commercial building owners and managers.

BOMA/Chicago has also provided recommendations to the ICC regarding the utility data access third-party form as part of its ongoing participation in the rulemaking process.