Please be advised that owners of covered buildings are required to submit annual benchmarking reports to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) via the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager platform. The Maryland Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) aims to track energy use, achieve zero net direct GHG emissions by 2040, and boost building energy efficiency. Building owners may authorize a third-party agent to submit these reports on their behalf. Benchmarking reports submitted to MDE by September 1, 2025 and June 1, 2026 and beyond, will be deemed timely. A covered building is a commercial or multifamily residential building in the State of Maryland or is owned by the State of Maryland and has a gross floor area of 35,000 SF or more, excluding the parking garage area. Building owners can search for their buildings and reference number (Unique Building Identifier or UBID) at https://mdbeps.mde.state.md.us . This UBID must be entered in the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. Beginning in 2026 and every five years thereafter, building owners are required to have a third party verify the accuracy of their benchmarking reports prior to submitting them to MDE. If a building owner already uses a third party to submit reports, that same entity may also fulfill the verification requirement. Regulatory requirements can be complex, but our engineers are able to assist with data collection, reporting, and compliance with verification requirements. Furthermore, our comprehensive team of engineers can design energy-efficient upgrades for building systems, aiming at optimizing performance and fostering healthier, more sustainable buildings throughout Maryland. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Becht today at 800.772.7991 or information@bechtbt.com to learn how we can assist you with your building’s benchmarking needs.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Enacted in January 2024, NJ S2760/A4384 (NJ Reserve Study Law) established new capital reserve study and funding requirements for most New Jersey Community Associations. On August 21, 2025, Governor Phil Murphy signed NJ Bill S3992 which amends New Jersey S2760/A4384 by updating funding requirements and offering additional funding options for Associations which may be underfunded. NJ Bill S3992 permits Associations to select between two main funding options outlined below. Option 1: Follow the Capital Reserve Study and fund their reserve account in accordance with Baseline, Threshold, or Component/Full Funding Scenarios. Option 2: An Association may now fund as little as 85% of the required funding for up to 5 years with specific disclosure obligations. This option for 85% funding is only allowed in the first 5 years after a reserve study is completed. After year 5, the Association must update their report and fund in accordance with either baseline, threshold, or component/full funding as shown in their Capital Reserve Study. Associations that choose the 85% option must also follow strict policies to notify current unit owners of the decision as well as possible future special assessments or loans which may be required to offset funding deficits. Sellers are also required to disclose this information to potential buyers. Other Important Notes: This bill defines "adequate" reserves as funds projected to not fall below zero over the Association's 30-year funding plan as outlined in the reserve study. Baseline funding meets the definition of “adequate” though it poses the greatest chance of an assessment or loan to make up for a shortfall. This legislation is intended to establish consistent financial planning and disclosure practices for Community Associations. Timetables to Consider: CAI recommends Capital Reserve Study updates every 3 years. NJ Law requires updates at least every 5 years at which time Associations must complete a professional reserve study with a site visit which analyzes anticipated maintenance and replacement costs, current fund balances, and current conditions of common elements to provide a 30-year cash-flow and funding projection. Our CAI Designated Reserve Specialists are available to provide guidance regarding these new amendments and to advise you on the necessary steps to achieve compliance.

It’s that time of year when Community Associations will soon be looking toward preparing their budgets for their next fiscal year. In order to make rational, informed financial decisions, that process should be predicated on a recent, up-to-date Capital Reserve Study or the Update of an existing study. The Community Associations Institute recommends that Associations update their studies at least every 3 years, with many states also requiring reserve studies to be completed at similar intervals. Many states have recently passed legislation which requires regular reserve study updates as well as site and building inspections. With other states looking to follow their lead, the landscape of legislation which affects Community Associations is ever changing and can be difficult to understand. Our Reserve Specialists stay up to date with changes in state laws and national standards to help Associations, Boards, and Managers understand, navigate, and remain compliant with applicable regulations. Reasons to consider Becht Engineering for your next Reserve Study:  Building on our reputation since 1964 with over 60 years in business and 40+ years of experience in preparing reserve studies, we are well versed in state and national reserve study requirements. Easily request proposals through our online portal or by contacting one of our Project Managers directly. We offer exceptional customer service with site inspections performed by seasoned experts with experience in construction, capital project planning, condition assessments, and cost estimating. All reports are carefully reviewed by CAI Designated Reserve Specialists in each office with extensive knowledge of local projects. Our reports include real world pricing information – In addition to industry standard cost estimating, we also use our own first-hand experience in designing and overseeing construction projects to make sure that the estimates we show in each report are based in reality and guided by our knowledge of what other Associations have spent on similar projects. For complex centralized systems such as boiler plants, domestic hot water systems, cooling towers, rooftop units, and emergency generators, our Reserve Studies are informed by our mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection designers and Professional Engineers that design and work with those systems on a daily basis. We use specialized software to carefully prepare and review each report to ensure that we are providing funding scenarios that meet the specific needs of each community. Each report includes a 60-day revision period during which we encourage the Board and their Manager to review the report and ask any questions before we prepare a final report. During this time, we also offer a complimentary Zoom Meeting with the Board and Management to review the reserve study, explain each funding scenario, and carefully review the options that the Association has. We can also make real-time revisions and edits to the report as needed to make sure the report is as accurate and complete as possible.

The time for change is upon us! Our seamless transition in management marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of our firm. A heartfelt thank you to Richard L. Burke, PE for his invaluable contributions to our company. As we transition to a new era with Kyle Kazimir, PE at the helm, we are excited for the opportunities that lie ahead.

Becht Engineering BT, Inc. is proud to announce the promotion of one of our esteemed employee co-owners, marking another milestone in our commitment to excellence in the engineering industry. We are thrilled to share that Thomas J. Keane has been promoted from Lead Designer to Structural Department Head. This strategic decision showcases our dedication to fostering talent from within and providing opportunities for advancement.