So that it can audit and evaluate competing design proposals, the Department shall set standards for energy performance indices. As experience develops on the energy performance achieved in State buildings, the energy performance indices will serve as a measure of building performance with respect to energy consumption. The Department, in cooperation with the Maryland Energy Administration, shall assist State agencies in reducing, by 2031, the average energy consumption in State buildings by 20% from the level in fiscal year 2018. On or before October 1, 2024, the Maryland Green Building Council shall: update the High Performance Green Building Program authorized under § 3–602.1 of this article to ensure that all new buildings and major renovations subject to the Program align with the State’s goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045; and submit a copy of the updated Program to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly. The Department shall identify State–owned facilities that are potential candidates for energy savings performance contracts. State agencies shall provide on–site support to work with the Department at facilities identified as candidates for energy savings performance contracts under this subsection. Each year, the Department shall conduct an energy and greenhouse gas emissions audit of at least 2,000,000 square feet of State–owned buildings. The audit shall include best practices and identify low–cost measures for increasing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Department shall provide a copy of the audit to the head of each unit of State government that occupies the space audited. Each unit of State government that occupies the space audited shall, to the fullest extent practicable, implement the measures identified in the audit. For 1 year following the implementation of the measures identified in the audit, the Department shall: monitor the unit’s energy use and greenhouse gas emissions; track any changes resulting from the measures; and calculate any energy cost savings and emissions reductions resulting from the measures. In this subsection, “Database” means the Comprehensive Utility Records Management Database. The Department shall record reductions in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the energy–savings measures in the Database. Each month or on request by the Department, each unit of State government shall provide the Department with access to available data about the unit’s facilities and copies of the unit’s utility bills. The Department shall report to the Governor annually on each unit’s data compliance. The Department shall use the facility data and utility bill information provided under this subsection to fully populate, update, and maintain the Database. Each unit of State government shall, in support of the unit’s core missions, implement projects and initiatives to conserve energy and reduce the unit’s greenhouse gas emissions. Provisions promoting the State’s energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals shall be included in each request for proposals that: is for the leasing of space to the State; and would obligate the State to pay the utility bills for the leased space. Each fiscal year, the Department shall report to the Governor on the State’s progress toward achieving the goal of reducing energy consumption in State buildings by 20%.