BENCHMARKING & TUNE-UPS NEWS
 December 2024
(Non-residential and Multifamily Buildings > 20,000 SF)
Reporting Year 2023 Benchmarking Data Now Available
Detailed energy benchmarking data for reporting year 2023 are available now on the Seattle Open Data portal and Seattle Energy Benchmarking Map! Each year, the Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) publicly discloses building-level energy and emissions performance data for more than 3,600 non-residential and multifamily buildings larger than 20,000 square feet. For the first time, OSE has combined all years of available benchmarking data (2015-2023) into a single file for ease of use and analysis. In addition to the building-level data, OSE also calculates performance ranges by building type.
Download Building Energy Benchmarking Data (2015-2023)
Download Benchmarking Performance Ranges by Building Type (2015-2023)
Energy Benchmarking Map Updated
 The updated Energy Benchmarking Map
OSE has just launched an updated version of the Seattle Energy Benchmarking Map! Users can now view their estimated Seattle Building Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS) and Washington Clean Building Performance Standard (CBPS) targets in the redesigned Building Performance Report. Read more about these Benchmarking Updates on OSE’s December 27th Greenspace blog post.
 Benchmarking overview from the redesigned Building Performance Report
 Current GHGI versus first BEPS target from the redesigned Building Performance Report
Beware of Third-Party Benchmarking Communications
Please be advised that communications currently circulating from soliciting third-party service providers may contain inaccurate information regarding compliance status, deadlines, and Seattle benchmarking program requirements. The Reporting Year 2023 compliance cycle is closed and OSE is no longer accepting appeals to Notices of Violation. Official email communications from the City of Seattle regarding benchmarking compliance will be sent via a seattle.gov email address. Notification letters, warning letters, and Notices of Violation sent through the postal service will prominently feature City of Seattle branding and will not request payment for services to complete the benchmarking process.
 Example of an official City of Seattle Benchmarking warning letter
Technical Assistance Help Desk Closed Until January 2
The Benchmarking Technical Assistance Help Desk is closed from December 25th through January 1st. The Help Desk will respond to inquiries made to energybenchmarking@seattle.gov during that time within 3-5 business days of returning to work. One-on-one appoints and full technical assistance services will resume on January 2nd.
(Non-residential Buildings 50,000 SF+)
Cohort 2 On Track for High Compliance!
Thanks to Tune-Up Specialists’ hard work, Cohort 2 buildings (100,000–199,999 SF) achieved a 53% compliance rate following the October 2024 due date. This is more than double the compliance rate at this time during the first cycle. Another 6% submitted incomplete reports that have outstanding corrections. Warning letters have been mailed to non-compliant Cohort 2 building owners notifying them they have until 4/1/2025 to submit a complete Tune-Up Summary Report before a first Notice of Violation with a $2,500 penalty will be issued.
Plan Ahead for Alternative Compliance
Cohort 3 and 4 building owners should plan for the 2025 and 2026 April 1st deadlines for extensions, waivers, and alternative compliance requests. We encourage you to review our guidelines, as most pathways require work to be completed before applying. For more details on these tune-up pathways, view the Alternative Compliance handout (PDF) and the Extensions and Waivers resource (PDF). Please note there is a new alternative compliance pathway for buildings that achieve early compliance with the WA State Clean Buildings Performance Standard.
Clean Building Performance Grants Program Now Seeking Applications
The Clean Buildings Performance Grants program is offering competitive funding opportunities for energy efficiency improvements in buildings that are working toward complying with the Washington State Clean Buildings Performance Standard. The Request for Applications (RFA) system will be live through January 30, 2025.
Grants will reimburse building owners for costs associated with projects and services that help achieve compliance with the CBPS, such as energy efficiency retrofits or contracted services to assist with:
- Energy audits (for privately held buildings)
- Energy benchmarking
- Developing an energy management plan (EMP)
- Developing an operations and maintenance program (O&M)
- Professional accounting services
Visit the Clean Buildings Performance Grants website to review the application and eligibility criteria. The Department of Commerce will be holding an informational webinar on January 9th.
Join the Seattle Clean Buildings Accelerator
The Seattle Clean Buildings Accelerator provides tools and guidance to help buildings improve their energy efficiency and prepare for compliance with the Seattle Building Emissions Performance Standard and the Washington Clean Building Performance Standard. Want to learn more about which program is best for your building(s) and organization? Join an upcoming information session to learn more about the laws, programs, and next steps.
Register for an OSE information session
- Thursday, January 16, 11:00AM-12:00PM
- Thursday, January 30, 12:00-1:00PM
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Energy Benchmarking: EnergyBenchmarking@seattle.gov | 206-727-8484
Building Tune-Ups: BuildingTuneUps@seattle.gov | 206-727-8863
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