The Property Owner’s Guide to the State of Energy Compliance under the new Administration

Nothing is better then when a requirement forced upon building operators turns into cost savings and profitability.
Especially because the point of energy compliance is not to be another yearly deadline that takes up the time of property managers.
The challenge is taking compliance and seeming a expense for properties and turning it into a positive especially now with a new administration coming this January.
While organizations like U.S Green Building Council have pushed for expanded tax credits for energy-efficient building retrofits, Trump’s Agenda 46 and Project 2025 prioritize fossil fuel support, possibly at the expense of clean energy incentives.
The Inflation Reduction Act expanded the Section 179D Energy Efficient Commercial Building Tax Deduction, for example, which allows a tax deduction of 50 cents per square foot for buildings placed in service in or after 2023 with 25% energy savings, plus 2 centers per square foot for each percentage point of energy savings above 25% up to a maximum of $1 per square foot for a building with 50% energy savings, according to the IRS.
The Proof is in the Pudding
The Inflation reduction act is current law and will not be fully repealed given significant bipartisan support and substantial investments that have already been made, especially in Republican districts. There will be debate about potential modifications to multiple aspects of the IRA but House Speaker Mike Johnson said in September that “You’ve got to use a scalpel and not a sledgehammer, because there’s a few provisions in there that have helped overall” We can expect the tax savings to stay. There is a high possibility that other components will be taken up by the states.
Here’s what we can expect:
State programs on the rise that are linked to overall tailored structured incentives.
Proof of savings by doing more energy retrofits.
Less potential red tape on funds, and removal of specific carbon based restrictions.
Possible reprogramming of certain unspent funds thats were allocated to states.
States will need to act quick and be prepared for possible challenges to how funds are being spent for clean energy. Overall there will probably be less funds for wind and solar but a more reasonable expectation to pass savings to building operators.

The Narrative will Change
The narrative is going to change from climate change and clean energy to supporting American energy production and cost savings for American businesses.
For 90 days, I asked him to commit to one platform (LinkedIn), one specific offer (fixing email sequences for e-commerce stores), and one specific customer type (Shopify stores doing $20k to $50k in monthly revenue).
The American Clean Power Association said it looked forward to work with the new administration to “unleash American-made energy, deliver reliable power to the grid, grow the economy and enhance our national security. There is without a doubt conversations to be had and the narrative should change to this.
Most property owners are seeing benefits from their pathways they have choosen to comply.
This is the time to take advantage of tailored structured finance and any programs you can qualify for.
The 90-Day Transformation
With the final months of 2024 here, property owners, and managers must start looking at compliance as a way to reduce costs and not just another report to submit.
State, County and City regulation is not going to change but taking advantage of federal tax savings will help your bottom line and help transform the conversation from clean energy, and the Inflation Reduction Act to how much savings and profits can be achieved.
The idea is simple — how does a energy retrofit project help my bottom line and how do I get it done at little to no expense out of pocket. Well first, I need to know what I am spending and what can I save.
How to get Started
So for the next month. Start by reviewing these links.
If your property is in MD:
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Apply for Technical Assistance Program and get a full understand of savings. (specific to Montgomery County)
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Take advantage of the Data Center Energy Efficient Grant Program.
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Make sure you are taking advantage of the Energy-Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction
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See the full list of Maryland programs for fiscal year 2025.
If your property is in New York:
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Take advantage of NY Open C-Pace to get favorable terms sometimes with no interest.
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If you have solar, apply for the New York City Property Tax Abatement for Photovoltaic (PV) and Energy Storage Equipment
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Make sure you are taking advantage of the Energy-Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction
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Take advantage of rebate programs like the NYSEG Small Business Lighting Retrofit Program
Do the hard work now of cataloging your utility bills, as well as capturing all of your equipment information.
Workflow Control can take care of this and capture all of your information so you can quickly apply and take advantage of programs. Our partners can also take care of the application process so you can reap the benefits.