Our Program is Seeking a New Administrator
See our Request for Qualifications at Bellevue’s Bid Opportunities, RFPs, and RFQs webpage here.
Review our slide deck highlighting some information from the RFQ document.
Get Free Clean Buildings Law Technical Support
The City of Bellevue is helping large buildings (20,000+ sf) to track and reduce energy use, save on costs, and comply with WA State Clean Buildings Standards. Free building energy services include energy benchmarking, scoping assessments, incentive navigation, and compliance reporting support–an estimated $18,000 value. Start compliance work now to avoid fines, improve building performance and comfort, and save on energy and operating costs. Read our Clean Buildings Program Impact Report to learn more.
Sign up today by contacting our Climate & Energy Program Manager: Sign Up
Compliance Deadlines
Free Trainings
WA Clean Buildings Law Technical Support
Live Webinars and Workshops:
Check back soon for Bellevue program trainings!
WA Dept of Commerce training webinars:
Tier 2 Compliance: Benchmarking on ESPM
April 30, 2025, 11am-12pm: Register
May 8, 2025, 11am-12pm: Register
Decarbonization of the District Energy System
May 22, 2025, 11am-12pm: Register
On-Demand Webinar Recordings:
- Bellevue CBIP Program Overview: Introduction to the law, program, and available services.
Smart Buildings Center & WSU Trainings: Introduction to the law, navigating, and completing compliance steps.
Additional Information
State Law Overview and Compliance Requirements
WA Clean Buildings Law
Primary tabs
Residential and commercial buildings are Washington's second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 27% of statewide emissions. Energy-efficient buildings are essential to meet statewide greenhouse gas emissions limits. Passed in the 2019 legislative session and later adjusted, the WA Clean Buildings Law requires covered buildings to comply with statewide energy reporting and performance requirements as detailed in the Clean Buildings Performance Standard Integrated Document. Covered buildings are separated into two tiers.
Tier 1 covered buildings generally include commercial buildings with a gross floor area (GFA) greater than 50,000 square feet. Tier 1 reporting and performance deadlines are:
- June 1, 2026 – More than 220,000 sq. ft.
- June 1, 2027 – More than 90,000 sq. ft. but less than 220,001 sq. ft.
- June 1, 2028 – More than 50,000 sq. ft. but less than 90,001 sq. ft.
Tier 2 covered buildings generally include commercial buildings with a gross floor area greater than 20,000 sq. ft. and less than 50,0001 sq. ft; tier 2 also generally includes all multi-family residential buildings with more than 20,000 sq. ft. Tier 2 reporting deadlines are:
- July 1, 2027
Compliance requirements vary by tier:
- Tier 1: benchmark building energy use; create energy management plan; implement operations and maintenance (O&M) program; meet energy performance metric
- Tier 2: benchmark building energy use; create energy management plan; implement operations and maintenance (O&M) program
Detailed Program Services
Participants will receive the following services:
- Energy Star Portfolio Manager-qualified technical support for energy benchmarking
- Building scoping assessment to identify energy saving opportunities
- Early Adopter Incentive application support for buildings 15+ points from their energy target
- Access to training focused on energy benchmarking, operation and maintenance best practices, and energy management planning
- Support for submitting early compliance documentation via the state’s Clean Buildings portal
- Access to Clean Buildings compliance help desk and “how to” videos
- Puget Sound Energy incentive acquisition support
- Recognition as a Bellevue Clean Building Ambassador
Resources for Covered Buildings
Covered building owners and operators should explore available resources:
- WA State Early Adopter Incentive Program for Tier 1 and Tier 2
- WA State Energy Public Building Audit Incentive Program for Tier 1
- WA State Clean Building Performance Grants for Tier 1 and Tier 2
- Puget Sound Energy (PSE) utility incentives
- Federal IRC 179D tax deduction for energy efficiency commercial buildings
- Federal tax credits and deductions for clean energy
- King County C-Pacer financing
- Other grants and financing
- WA State technical support, Clean Buildings Portal, Tier 1 covered buildings dashboard, document library, FAQ, events, trainings, and other resources
- PSE Clean Buildings Accelerator technical support
- Smart Building Center trainings, tool library, and CBPS Helpdesk
- Washington State University Resource Conservation Manager trainings
- EPA Energy Star Portfolio Manager benchmarking training