Clean Buildings

Buildings are the most rapidly growing source of greenhouse gas emissions in Washington. The buildings sector is the state’s second-biggest carbon polluter behind transportation, accounting for 27% of statewide emissions. Investment in building energy efficiency is the most cost-efficient way to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Clean Buildings programs focus on improving energy efficiency in public and residential buildings, supporting weatherization efforts for low-income households, and promoting community-wide energy efficiency. These initiatives aim to reduce energy consumption, lower operational costs, improve indoor air quality, reduce community energy burdens, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the building sector.

Clean Buildings Performance Standard

In 2019 the Clean Buildings bill was signed into law and later expanded in 2022. The objective is to lower costs and pollution from fossil fuel consumption in buildings over 20,000 square feet by requiring building owners to meet compliance requirements through the Clean Buildings Performance Standard. The law also provides incentives to encourage building owners to make energy efficiency improvements early through the Early Adopter Incentive Program.
Building with trees

Clean Buildings Performance Standard Homepage

The Clean Buildings Performance Standard is mandatory for Tier 1 covered buildings (over 50,000 gross square feet) and Tier 2 covered buildings (over 20,000 to 50,000 gross square feet, including multifamily) located in the state of Washington.

Compliance for Tier 1 buildings greater than 220,000 sf begins June 2026. Tier 2 buildings will be identified by July 1, 2025 and reporting begins July 1, 2027.

Roof of american school building covered with photovoltaic solar panels for production of electric energy. Renewable energy concept.

Clean Buildings Early Adopter Incentive Program

The Early Adopter Incentive Program offers incentive funds to encourage Tier 1 and Tier 2 building owners to comply with the Clean Buildings Performance Standard early. The Early Adopter Incentive Program for Tier 1 covered buildings began July 1, 2021 are limited to $75 million. Funding is still available.

The Tier 2 incentive program will begin July 1, 2025 and is limited to $150 million.

Grants, rebates and incentive programs

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Energy Audit for Publicly Owned Buildings

The Energy Audit for Public Buildings Program offers upfront funds to help pay for investment-grade energy audits on public buildings. Energy audits are used to identify all cost effective energy efficiency measures and can be used to comply with the Clean Buildings Performance Standard or qualify for the Early Adopter Incentive Program.

Funding details and webpage pending. Please email CleanBuildingsIncentiveProgram@Commerce.wa.gov for more information.

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Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grants (EECBG)

These are capacity-building planning grants for local governments. Washington will pass-through over $2 million in federal formula funding to cities and counties that are ineligible for direct allocations from the federal Department of Energy. Priority consideration will go to disadvantaged and highly impacted communities.

group of kids go to the school, Back view

State Funded Energy Efficiency Retrofit (EER)

This program serves communities throughout Washington by funding projects that improve existing publicly-owned facilities and related projects that result in energy and operational cost savings. This is competitive funding for energy efficiency improvements at buildings and facilities such as schools, hospitals, community centers, affordable housing, and wastewater treatment plants.

The air conditioner is mounted on the wall with the trees of the building with the garden in the front row.

State Funded Electrification and Appliance Rebates

The Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) Program consists of grants to eligible third-party administrators to provide rebates and incentives to households, small businesses, and adult family homes to purchase and install high-efficiency electric equipment. The current funding is over $75 million for 2024-2025.

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Inflation Reduction Act Home Energy Rebates

The federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will provide over $160 million in funding for rebates to support single family and multi-family residential energy efficiency improvements. These programs provide rebates for weatherization, high efficiency electric appliances, and the associated electrical upgrades. These are two federally-funded programs administered by the Department of Energy. The estimated program launch date is in early 2025 via a third party implementer.

Olympia, WA Aerial

State Project Improvement Grants

State Project Improvement (SPI) grants provide funding for state agencies to redesign previously budgeted building projects at existing state-owned buildings to increase energy efficiency and environmental performance. Funding covers the additional costs of more efficient project options such as higher efficiency heating systems, insulation or windows. SPI grants cut energy costs, reduce pollution, and improve the health and comfort of state buildings in communities across the state.

Ongoing programs (funding distributed)

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Appliance Standards

Appliance Standards represent a cost-effective strategy to protect consumers and businesses and strengthen the state’s clean energy economy. Efficiency products save energy and water, reduce long-term operating costs, and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

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Building Electrification Program

The Building Electrification Program provides funding for multifamily residential and commercial building owners and tenants to deploy and demonstrate grid-enabled, high-efficiency, all-electric buildings that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate the path to zero-energy. This includes shifting from fossil fuels to high-efficiency electric equipment and systems, control systems that enable grid integration or demand control, and on-site renewable generation and efficiency measures.

Weatherization and related programs

Professional plumber installing a new boiler water heater in a residential home. Inspecting the homes heating system to ensure its functioning properly and efficiently. Winter season job for hot water

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) can provide home improvements that reduce energy bills while increasing comfort for qualified low-income residents.

Home Rehabilitation Grant Program (HRGP)

The Home Rehabilitation Grant Program (HRGP) can provide funds needed for homeowners to improve the quality and stability of the home.

Community Energy Efficiency Program (CEEP)

The Community Energy Efficiency Program (CEEP) encourages homeowners and small business across the state to make energy efficiency retrofits and upgrades. The WSU Energy Program (funded by Commerce) executes and manages these community-based programs.

Contact

Clean Buildings Performance Standard
Email: Buildings@Commerce.wa.gov

Home Rebate Programs
Email: HomeRebates@Commerce.wa.gov