BENCHMARKING & TUNE-UPS NEWS
 November 2023
Building Emissions Performance Standard Update
On November 15th, Mayor Harrell transmitted an updated Building Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS) policy to the Seattle City Council. This is a rare piece of consensus legislation where technical experts, advocates, community members and building owners came together over more than two years of engagement to craft effective and fair legislation that meets the urgency of the climate crisis. Seattle's BEPS legislation is projected to reduce building emissions 27% by 2050 (or nearly 10% of total emissions) making it one of the most impactful and equitable actions Seattle can take today to address the climate crisis.
 What You Need to Know About BEPS
The proposed Building Emissions Performance Standard Policy (BEPS) was announced in June 2023, and applies to existing nonresidential and multifamily buildings 20,000 square feet and greater. BEPS sets carbon emissions targets that buildings must meet over time to reach net-zero emissions. Compliance starts with reporting requirements in 2027 that quantify building emissions and encourage owners to prepare for emissions reductions. Buildings are then required to meet emissions targets starting in 2031, which become progressively lower in five-year intervals until reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
The BEPS policy also has flexible alternative compliance pathways to accommodate buildings of many uses, size, type, ownership, age, and systems, with low-income housing and human services given a longer lead time to prepare.
For more information, please see:
Next Steps
At the City Council, the legislation will be sponsored by Councilmember Lisa Herbold and heard in the Council’s Select Committee on Climate Action formed by Council President Debora Juarez. Read the bill and track its progress via the City Clerk’s Legislative Information Center. To receive further agendas from the 2023 Select Committee on Climate Action, please sign up at: https://www.seattle.gov/council/committees/agenda-sign-up. Key upcoming proposed select committee dates to be held in Seattle City Hall Council Chambers and Online:
Get Started Reducing Emissions
Although the first emissions target deadlines are not until 2031, we encourage building owners to start thinking about reducing emissions as soon as possible because securing funding, getting a plan in place, and taking action can require several years. Take a look at this factsheet that outlines financial incentives for building decarbonization.
Additionally, OSE has launched the Seattle Clean Buildings Accelerator that helps building owners understand emissions reduction opportunities and start to develop a decarbonization strategy. Mayor Harrell included $4.5M to support the Accelerator program in the proposed 2024 budget for engineering and capital investments, prioritized for buildings located in or serving frontline communities. Register for an upcoming free info session here.
Please subscribe to receive updates on the BEPS program. For additional information, visit seattle.gov/building-performance-standards or email cleanbuildings@seattle.gov.
Proposed Changes to Benchmarking and Tune-Ups Laws
The proposed BEPS legislation also includes revisions to Energy Benchmarking and Building Tune-Ups programs.
- The Building Tune-Ups program will sunset after its second cycle 2023-2026 compliance interval to reduce overlap with the Washington State Clean Building Performance Standard (CBPS), which has an operational and maintenance requirement similar to Tune-Ups.
- Energy Benchmarking will continue for all nonresidential and multifamily buildings 20,000 square feet and larger, though the annual deadline will change to June 1st to mirror the State’s CBPS policy.
- Benchmarking fines for noncompliance, tiered by building size, will be consolidated into one Notice of Violation issued 90 days after the due date in place of quarterly accruing fines.
- Beginning in reporting year 2027, building owners will be required to third party verify their benchmarking results once every five years.
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