State Project Improvement (SPI) grants provide funding for state agencies to redesign building projects to increase energy efficiency and environmental performance. Funding covers the additional costs of more efficient project options, such as higher efficiency heating systems or windows, for projects at existing state-owned buildings. SPI grants cut energy costs, reduce pollution, and improve the health and comfort of state buildings in communities across the state.
Washington’s 2021 State Energy Strategy identifies energy efficiency in buildings as a core strategy for meeting climate goals. The strategy targets a 26% reduction in energy use in buildings by 2050. These targets and the work of the State Efficiency and Environmental Performance (SEEP) Office demonstrate the state’s commitment to lead by example with public capital projects.
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2024 awardees
In 2024, Commerce awarded $4,850,000 in State Project Improvement grants. These grants cover the difference in cost for state agencies and higher education institutions to increase the energy efficiency of planned and budgeted capital projects in the current biennium. The SPI-024 solicitation was non-competitive; each proposed project was reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Qualifying projects all met or exceeded the required criteria of savings to investment ratio with a contribution to reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
$970,834 to Central Washington University. This project will build on a planned upgrade of an air handler in preparation for future conversion to geothermal; the enhancements funded by this grant introduce an ultra-efficient flooded heat exchanger operating on steam until the final geothermal step is implemented.
$599,623 to Edmonds Community College. In addition to the original HVAC controller replacement, this will upgrade 68 zone level heating valves with pressure indicators improving occupancy control, demand ventilation, and reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption.
$327,014 to Green River Community College. Convert fluorescent lighting to LEDs. The conversion will reduce energy consumption and provide better lighting and longer measure life.
$259,088 to Shoreline Community College. The project upgrades the replacement of five inefficient boilers with high efficiency boilers in each of three buildings and advances progress toward the Clean Buildings Performance Standard.
$330,000 to South Puget Sound Community College. Retro-commissioning, controls and heating valve upgrades will enhance the baseline fan motor replacement and optimize functioning of building systems.
$440,509 to South Puget Sound Community College. This upgrades standard boiler replacements to new, high efficiency condensing boilers, circulation pumps and flues.
$617,624 to South Puget Sound Community College. This funding will replace multiple end-of-life heat pumps and add controls to multiple mezzanines.
$1,305,308 to University of Washington. Install efficient fan coil units with temperature control and revise the layout of piping and ductwork to position Anderson Hall for compatibility with the planned campus district heating water system that will migrate the campus away from fossil fuels.
2021 grant awardees
$970,834 to Central Washington University. This project will build on a planned upgrade of an air handler in preparation for future conversion to geothermal; the enhancements funded by this grant introduce an ultra-efficient flooded heat exchanger operating on steam until the final geothermal step is implemented.
$599,623 to Edmonds Community College. In addition to the original HVAC controller replacement, this will upgrade 68 zone level heating valves with pressure indicators improving occupancy control, demand ventilation, and reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption.
$327,014 to Green River Community College. Convert florescent lighting to LEDs. The conversion will reduce energy consumption and provide better lighting and longer measure life.
$259,088 to Shoreline Community College. The project upgrades the replacement of five inefficient boilers with high efficiency boilers in each of three buildings and advances progress toward the Clean Buildings Performance Standard.
$330,000 to South Puget Sound Community College. Retro-commissioning, controls and heating valve upgrades will enhance the baseline fan motor replacement and optimize functioning of building systems.
$440,509 to South Puget Sound Community College. This upgrades standard boiler replacements to new, high efficiency condensing boilers, circulation pumps and flues.
$617,624 to South Puget Sound Community College. This funding will replace multiple end-of-life heat pumps and add controls to multiple mezzanines.
- Department of Labor & Industries – $3,348,261: For lighting and controls at the headquarters building to augment cooling system upgrades and increase energy efficiency reducing operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Department of Transportation – $139,406: For the Forest Learning Center at Toutle, to increase quality and efficiency of new heat pumps providing increased energy and operational savings.
- Department of Transportation – $624,731: For 14 radio sites around the state, to add heat pumps and cooling for increased ability to maintain effective operating conditions for monitoring equipment.