Summer 2026

More than two years after its introduction, MGE’s MyMeter tool is helping businesses save time and simplify energy data management and reporting. More than 2,000 business customers have used MyMeter to access and manage their energy information. The online resource provides streamlined access to energy data, making it easier to meet the City of Madison’s Building Energy Savings Program (BESP) requirements. 

Originally introduced to help companies manage on-peak demand costs, MyMeter has been enhanced to streamline what many expected would be a detailed and time-intensive process. As more customers participate in the program, they are seeing those benefits in action, with automated data transfer and simplified reporting making compliance a more routine part of operations. 

Simplifying the process 

MyMeter creates a direct link between MGE’s billing system and ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager, the platform used to collect and report benchmarking data for the City. 

Once set up, monthly energy use is automatically transferred, eliminating the need for ongoing data entry. For customers, that means less time managing data and fewer errors. 

For McAllen Properties, which manages more than a million square feet of industrial commercial space on Madison’s east side, benchmarking could have been a significant administrative task. The company’s portfolio includes nearly 20 buildings subject to benchmarking, some of which require tune-up documentation. That includes more than 100 tenants and approximately 100 meters. 

Instead, MyMeter has made the process much more manageable. What used to take significant time each month is now handled automatically.

“The MyMeter dashboard and platform have been extremely helpful for me as a landlord to comply with the City’s new program,” said Melissa Klar, Director of Real Estate. “After we input our data and completed the initial setup, it’s been running smoothly.”  

Going forward, the process requires minimal effort. 

“Now everything just flows,” Klar added. “The data goes where it needs to go, and we’re able to meet the City’s requirements without having to constantly manage the process. This means less time spent managing data and more confidence that reporting requirements are met.”

Benchmarking program continues to grow 

As MyMeter helps streamline reporting, the City of Madison’s BESP continues to expand, bringing in more businesses, including smaller buildings. 

The City completed the second year of the program, with 330 buildings reporting energy use and approximately 85% of required buildings in compliance. Next year marks another key milestone. Several hundred additional buildings between 25,000 and 50,000 square feet will be required to benchmark for the first time. Larger buildings also will begin submitting building tune-up documentation starting in 2026 on a four-year cycle. 

For MGE customers, that means more businesses will need to track and report energy use as part of their regular operations. MyMeter helps manage that process by streamlining reporting and aggregating energy use data between multiple customers in a single building.  

Supporting a range of users 

Customers use MyMeter in different ways depending on their needs. 

Some property managers use it primarily for compliance. Others, including some building tenants, use the dashboard regularly to monitor energy use and track performance over time. This flexibility allows customers to go beyond compliance and look for ways to improve efficiency. MGE continues to enhance MyMeter based on customer feedback. 

A recent update includes a downloadable report feature that helps customers determine if they qualify for alternative compliance pathways. In some cases, buildings that meet certain performance thresholds may not need to complete required tune-ups. 

These updates help reduce administrative burden while giving customers additional insight into their energy performance.

From compliance to opportunity

As participation in the benchmarking program grows, MyMeter is helping customers shift their focus from gathering data to using it. With automated data transfer in place, customers can spend less time on reporting and more time identifying ways to reduce energy use and manage costs. For many businesses, the process has shifted from compliance to opportunity.