What is SEEP?
Executive Order 20-01 created the State Efficiency and Environmental Performance (SEEP) Office. SEEP works with state agency partners to achieve reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and eliminate toxic materials from state agency operations.
What does the SEEP Office do?
- Supports and guides state agency efforts related to electric vehicles (EVs), energy-efficient and zero energy facilities, sustainable purchasing and clean electricity.
- Identifies and pursues opportunities to fund cost-effective improvements in state agency environmental performance.
- At the direction of Gov. Inslee, the SEEP Office and Governing Council are pursuing opportunities to reduce the amount of single-use plastics purchased and used in state government operations.
Visit the Energy Retrofits for Public Buildings webpage and sign up for Updates to be added to the program email list.
SEEP Updates
State Agency Greenhouse Gas Reporting (NEW!)
RCW 70A.45.050 requires state agencies to report greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions using an emissions calculator provided by the Department of Ecology and a GHG emissions reduction strategy template provided by SEEP.
Instructions for completing these reporting requirements can be found on Ecology’s website for State Agency GHG Emissions Reporting.
For assistance, please contact hanna.waterstrat@commerce.wa.gov.
State Project Improvement Grants
State Project Improvement (SPI) grants fund state agencies to redesign building projects in order 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.
Visit the SPI Program webpage to learn more.
Inslee announces largest-ever purchase of green power for state operations
Gov. Jay Inslee announced that eight state agencies will purchase over one hundred million kWh of electricity by 2021 from wind and solar projects built in Washington state.
Overall, the purchase represents nearly one-quarter of the electricity demand required for state agency operations which is enough electricity to power more than 6,000 homes. Participating in one or both programs is estimated to save agencies more than $15,000 per year on their electricity bills and reduce emissions by 22,000 metric tons per year.
Additional Resources
Executive Order 20-01 (pdf)
Zero Energy FAQ (pdf)
Electric Fleets Initiative (pdf)
Zero Energy OPR Guidance (pdf)
Zero Energy RFQ Guidance (pdf)
Low Carbon Campus Guidance (pdf)
SEEP Architecture Presentation 10-27-2020 (video)
Toxics In Computers and Monitors Guidance (pdf)
Energy Star Purchase Standards and Guidance (pdf)
Buy Clean Buy Fair Washington Project: Progress Report (link)
EO 21-04 Fleet Electrification
State Agency Partners
Department of Social and Health Services
Department of Transportation
Department of Corrections
Department of Enterprise Services
Department of Ecology
Department of Commerce
Department of Natural Resources
Washington State Patrol
Department of Veterans Affairs
Labor and Industries
Department of Health
Liquor and Cannabis Board
Department of Agriculture
Need Help?
Hanna Waterstrat
Director, Office of State Efficiency and Environmental Performance
hanna.waterstrat@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: (360) 764-0015