Building Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS)
OSE Continues to Grow its BEPS Support Team!
This spring, OSE is partnering with the SEI Climate Corps program to hire two paid fellows who will receive career training while they support the implementation of Seattle's Building Performance Standard (BEPS). The fellows start this summer and will work closely with our technical compliance team for 15 months. After initial training and on-boarding, the fellows will support Benchmarking Verification and GHG Report creation for in-need owners like nonprofits, affordable housing, and volunteer-run condos. Look for more details on how to receive this tailored support in early fall!
Featured Seattle BEPS FAQ
When will Seattle mail notification letters about BEPS?
Check your mailbox this month! OSE is mailing postcards this week to about 4,000 owners and managers of covered buildings (multifamily and nonresidential buildings greater than 20,000 square feet) to inform them of the high-level requirements of BEPS.
 Image of BEPS postcard
OSE plans to mail more detailed notification letters in Q4 of 2026 for the first cohort of covered buildings (greater than 90,000 square feet) due to comply with BEPS benchmarking verification and GHG reporting by October 1, 2027. These letters are official notices from the City of Seattle informing building owners of the compliance deadlines specific to their building and how to comply. Please note that even if an owner of a covered building does not receive a notification letter, the building is still required to comply with BEPS.
Please be advised! OSE and the Washington Department of Commerce have seen communications circulating from third-party service providers that may include City or State logos without permission. They may contain inaccurate information about compliance status, deadlines, and program requirements for BEPS and the Washington Clean Building Performance Standard (CBPS). If you’ve received a fishy-looking communication, please forward the email or send an image of it to cleanbuildings@seattle.gov for verification.
BUILDING TUNE-UPS
Time Is Running Out to Comply — Where Does Your Building Stand?
Seattle's Building Tune-Up deadlines are fast approaching for Cohort 3 and Cohort 4 nonresidential buildings — and the clock is ticking.
The good news? The vast majority of Cohort 3 building owners have already completed their tune-up obligation (128 of 172. Only 17 building owners have not submitted any documentation). Don't be one of the few left behind paying fines.
Cohort 3 (70K–99K SF) — Less Than 6 Months to Go
Cohort 4 (50K–69K SF)
-
October 1, 2026 — Tune-Up Summary Report due. Submit early and skip the stress.
This Is the Final Cycle — Finish Strong
The Building Tune-Ups Ordinance concludes after this cycle, meaning no future tune-ups will be required. But compliance matters now more than ever; as this ordinance sunsets, the WA State Clean Building Performance Standard takes effect, bringing its own operation, maintenance, and energy management plan requirements. Completing your tune-up isn't just about avoiding an $8,000 fine — it positions your building for a smooth transition to what comes next.
Visit the Building Tune-Ups page to learn more, or email us at buildingtuneups@seattle.gov for technical assistance.
Call For Input From Tune-Up Specialists!
The Lab at City Light – Seattle City Light’s education and training resource for efficient electrification – wants feedback from tune-up specialists like you! The Lab is conducting a survey with the engineering firm TRC to gather your perspectives on the trainings and materials that would be most helpful and relevant to your work. Your input will help inform the development of future offerings to ensure they are useful, practical, and aligned with your interests. If you're interested in taking the survey, please email SeattleCityLight_Research@trccompanies.com.
Growing the Green Workforce
South Seattle College students in the Sustainable Building Science Technology (SBST) program recently completed a Tune-Up assessment at the Downtown Seattle YMCA. We share our experience joining them on site in the latest OSE Greenspace Blog post. Learn more about the new Pacific Northwest Building Training and Assessment Center (BTAC), how Seattle is investing directly in climate workforce programs, and our partnership with SSC interns to support local nonprofits.
 Left – SBST student Kenney Vicker reviewing HVAC system controls. Right – SBST student Azlyn Vaughn reviews HVAC data from a Building Automation System (BAS).
SUPPORT FOR BUILDING OWNERS
2026 Building Decarbonization Grant Program Opening Soon!
OSE plans to open the Building Decarbonization Grant program to applications on May 20 and subsequently award up to $4 million. These grants will help fund engineering design and capital retrofit projects to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from recipient buildings ahead of their BEPS compliance deadlines. As in 2025, OSE will prioritize buildings like nonprofits, affordable housing, senior housing, and other facilities serving frontline communities, as well as buildings whose current energy data show them exceeding their BEPS greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) targets. However, all buildings covered by BEPS are eligible and encouraged to apply.
Key Dates
-
Info Session: Get a jump start by attending a pre-application info session on Wednesday, May 6, at 1 PM. This session will cover the application guidelines, eligible projects, free technical assistance for applicants, application scoring, and examples of prior awardee projects. Advance registration is required, though the session will be recorded for those unable to attend. More program information will become available on the Building Emissions Navigator webpage beginning in early May.
-
Application: The program plans to begin accepting online applications on May 20, via the Navigator webpage. Look for additional information sessions starting May 27.
-
Deadline: Submit the online application form by August 10, 2026, at 8 PM to be considered.
-
Eligibility: Buildings must be covered by Seattle’s Building Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS) to be eligible for grant funding. These include multifamily or nonresidential (i.e. commercial) buildings larger than 20,000 square feet.
Building Emissions Navigator Training
OSE’s Navigator program offers free group training and customized technical assistance for your building to get ready for BEPS and CBPS compliance — and it’s available to building operators, owners, and property management teams. While our current sessions are fully booked, you can bookmark these planned dates:
-
Online: Nonresidential cohort starts September 16
-
In-Person: A joint nonresidential and multifamily cohort runs from October 20-21
-
Learn more: Watch this 30-minute recorded info session. Reach out to cleanbuildings@seattle.gov if you have questions.
More information about these upcoming sessions will be posted on the Navigator webpage as it becomes available.
Scholarships for Building Operator Certification Training Available
Seattle City Light has partial scholarships available to building owners and operators for Building Operator Certification (BOC) training. These scholarships reduce the cost of BOC I, BOC II, and BOC Multifamily training (regularly $2,495) to $1,000. To learn more, contact Graham Goodman at Seattle City Light (Graham.Goodman@seattle.gov).
Small Business Bonus Rebates for Heat Pumps
Seattle City Light is offering additional midstream rebates for small businesses (less than 50 employees) who purchase qualifying cold climate heat pumps and heat pump water heaters. Bonus incentives include an additional $4,400 for qualified heat pumps and an additional $1,000 on heat pump water heaters. These are stacked on the existing mid-stream rebates. The customer rebate cannot exceed the total project cost. Contact a contractor to get your project started! Contractors can get an additional limited-time incentive of $100 for heat pumps and $200 for heat pump water heaters.
Energize — Multifamily Homes: Applications for Funding Still Open
Do you own or operate an affordable multifamily building and want to reduce its emissions and energy use? If so, review the Energize – Multifamily Homes program to see if your building qualifies! This program provides services and county-managed installations in affordable housing apartments to improve energy efficiency, operating costs, indoor air quality, and occupant comfort. Both subsidized and unsubsidized (naturally occurring affordable) apartment buildings are encouraged to apply. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis.
Department of Commerce’s Tier 2 Early Adopter Incentive Program Still Accepting Applications
Launched on July 1, 2025, the WA Department of Commerce’s Tier 2 Early Adopter Incentive Program provides up to $150 M in support for owners of Tier 2 buildings under the WA Clean Building Performance Standard (Commercial buildings 20,001-50,000 SF and multifamily buildings over 20,000 SF) to make energy efficiency upgrades.
Building owners who achieve early compliance receive incentive payments directly from their utility on a first come, first served basis, while funds last. Apply on the Clean Buildings Portal. All Tier 2 covered buildings must submit compliance and incentive applications by July 1, 2027.
Work with SCL’s Strategic Energy Management Program to Lower Your Bills
The Strategic Energy Management (SEM) Program helps Seattle organizations enhance energy performance through operations and maintenance (O&M) improvements and behavioral changes. Participants can earn financial incentives by reducing energy consumption and implementing energy management best practices. SEM program activities also support future BEPS and CBPS compliance. To qualify for this program, the owner or operator must (i) be a City Light customer, (ii) manage a commercial or multifamily building larger than 20,000 SF in SCL territory that consumes at least 250,000 kWh per year, and (iii) designate an Energy Champion to commit to working directly with SCL. Visit the SEM homepage for more information.
EVENTS
Seattle 2030 District Energy Week (5/11-5/15)
During the week of May 11, our friends at the Seattle 2030 District are hosting a series of in-person and virtual events that explore the latest advancements in energy efficiency, decarbonization, and renewable energy solutions for the built environment. Energy Week will feature insightful webinars, site tours showcasing sustainable energy practices, networking events, informative blog posts, and roundtable discussions to spark innovation and foster collaboration in energy transformation.
View the events and register on the Seattle 2030 District website.
Upcoming Webinars with the Lab at City Light
Housing Development Consortium (HDC) Affordable Housing Week (5/18–5/22)
A weeklong series of education and advocacy events that works to highlight the role affordable housing plays in stabilizing our communities, including sustainability programming!
View the events and register on the HDC website.
Washington State Comprehensive Climate Action Plan Webinar
On April 27 (2-3PM), the Washington State Department of Commerce and the Department of Ecology will present Washington’s Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP). Attendees will get an overview of the plan's key takeaways and recommendations, how it will be used across Washington, and how they can help put the plan into action. Learn more and register here.
WA Clean Buildings Performance Standard Compliance Webinars
Better Buildings & Better Plants Summit
5/11–13, hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy
The U.S. Department of Energy's 2026 Better Buildings & Better Plants Summit will be held May 11-13 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, VA. Secure your spot now for this interactive event to experience dynamic sessions across five tracks, workshops, and invaluable opportunities to connect with industry peers and national experts. View this year’s schedule in the 2026 Agenda at-a-Glance.
|
