Save the Date: Smart Buildings Exchange Aug 27-29, 2024

January 23, 2024 By SBC staff

Please save the date for Smart Buildings Exchange 2024 – August 27-29, 2024! The free, three-day event will include two days of virtual sessions (August 27^th & 28^th), and the third day will be held in person in Seattle (details to be announced).

Interactive conference sessions featuring a mix of panel discussions and case study presentations will explore the market opportunity for smart buildings and highlight solutions to some of the challenges currently facing the commercial, corporate, and institutional real estate industries. Topics of focus will include building electrification and decarbonization efforts to address climate change, grid-interactive efficient buildings and the role they play in the clean energy transition, smart technologies for resilience and security, optimizing buildings for hybrid work environments and more.

Stay tuned for more programming, sponsorship, and registration details coming soon!

Senior Energy Program Manager – Tacoma

January 23, 2024 By SBC staff

The City of Tacoma is committed to fostering a workplace that is innovative and flexible, and which attracts, supports, and retains a diverse and talented workforce. This is a telework eligible, hybrid position and will require in-office days as well as site visits at business customer facilities.

Tacoma Power is looking for a Senior Program Manager to join their Business Customer Energy Programs team. In this role you will be responsible for the successful development and delivery of innovative energy programs and projects with Tacoma Power’s commercial and industrial customers. This position requires strong interpersonal and customer service skills, experience performing energy analysis, and advanced program management skills to ensure that Tacoma Power achieves its energy conservation goals and complies with Washington’s Energy Independence Act and Clean Buildings Law.

Tacoma Power relies on this position to provide expert program advice to customers, trade allies, internal staff and external organizations regarding energy consumption and energy cost management in commercial facilities. In this role you will collaborate with energy engineers and analysts, data scientists, resource planners, communications specialists, facility managers, commercial contractors, consulting firms, and Tacoma Power customers ranging from small businesses to key accounts.

Responsibilities Include:

Deliver energy programs and implement energy-saving incentive projects with Tacoma Power’s business customers. Lead collaborative efforts to streamline and improve performance-based offerings for commercial buildings including Strategic Energy Management and compliance support for Washington’s Clean Buildings Law.
Provide expert advice to commercial customers by analyzing energy consumption patterns, performing energy assessments and financial analyses, and identifying opportunities for saving energy and reducing energy costs.
Work with regional partners to coordinate program offerings and requirements, such as commercial equipment rebate offerings.
Monitor new products and emerging technologies, assessing product performance and providing insights to inform future program offerings.
Cultivate strong relationships with commercial trade allies and understand what motivates them to sell and promote specific products. Identify new and innovative ways to promote programs and engage business customers to participate in energy programs.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, project management or directly related field AND
4 years of experience in energy conservation or energy efficiency programs.

Ready to learn more or apply? Click Here!

Building Emissions Performance Standard Policy Updates

January 19, 2024 By SBC staff

Seattle’s Building Emissions Performance Standard: What You Need to Know Now

Start getting prepared for this new requirement!

BEPS applies to existing nonresidential and multifamily buildings greater than 20,000 square feet and sets carbon emissions targets that buildings must meet over time to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Compliance starts with benchmarking data verification and emissions reporting requirements due starting in 2027 to encourage planning and action to meet first emissions targets by 2031-2035.

Join Nicole Ballinger from OSE for a webinar on Thursday, February 1 from 10:00 to 11:30. Hosted by the Lighting Design Lab.

Learn the basics of BEPS, hear about 2024 rulemaking and program design planning, and get a sneak peek into how to estimate a building’s emissions using a greenhouse gas intensity metric. Q and A to follow.

Register for the webinar

Seattle Clean Buildings Accelerator

Reminder: the next free Light Coaching session starts January 30^th and it’s not too late to enroll! This program is tailored for owners and managers of buildings 50,000 SF and larger to understand the State of WA Clean Buildings law, reduce emissions to prepare for BEPS, and get on the path to compliance.

Register for an information session on January 17^th or 23rd

Help the Office of Sustainability and Environment design a new program to assist under-resourced building owners

In 2024, the Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) will be distributing $4.5 million to help building owners meet the Seattle Building Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS) that Mayor Harrell signed into law in December 2023. This funding is prioritized to provide capital and/or engineering support to implement emissions-reduction upgrades in buildings that serve frontline communities.¹

OSE is currently designing a program to distribute the funds and as part of the design process, we are seeking input on elements such as applicant eligibility and scoring criteria, award sizes and distribution, the state of knowledge among building owners, and other topics. One way we’re gathering that input is through a brief survey we’re distributing to building owners, energy service providers, community organizations, affordable housing advocates, and others. Please complete the short survey linked below to guide us as we build this important program, slated for launch in the first half of 2024. It should take only about 15 minutes.

Take the Survey

The survey will close on January 31, 2024, so please don’t wait to share your thoughts. Thank you in advance for taking the time to provide us with your valuable insights!

Tacoma-Pierce County Clean Buildings Symposium

January 19, 2024 By SBC staff

The purpose of this event to educate Tacoma-Pierce County commercial real estate professionals on Washington’s Clean Buildings Performance Standard. Listen to panel discussions from public and private sector entities and learn about available technical and financial resources. As well as how to navigate local climate policy compliance obligations and conversation.

Who should attend?

Building owners, buildings operators, property managers of commercial properties 20,000 square feet or larger in Pierce County.

What you will leave with:

A clearer understanding of resources and programs to support your journey through the Clean Building Initiatives in Washington State. You’ll also learn the latest advancements and best practices for creating energy-efficient and sustainable buildings.

For more info or to get your tickets, click here!

Exclusive Access to 2024 National Institute Recordings – Register Now!

January 18, 2024 By SBC staff

Less Carbon, More Action! Strategies for Better Buildings & Tech Education

Come and learn about advances in building technology and educational strategies at the intersection of technician education, sustainability, energy conservation, clean energy, healthy building operations, and climate change mitigation policies. A dynamic line-up of speakers and interactive sessions:

Advanced Technical Research: See presentations & demonstrations by leading experts on grid interactive efficient buildings (GEB), residential energy efficiency strategies, heat pump technology, building performance standards, and more.

Educational Strategies: Campus as Living Lab, project-based learning, instructional lab development, BAS lesson planning, micro credentials, and more.

Forum of Ideas & Networking: Exchange ideas with speakers and attendees in online breakout rooms and roundtable discussions. Expand your connections & meet other professionals.

Virtual Expo Hall: Meet industry sponsors to learn about products, training & discounts.

Although this event is over you can still get access to the recording of the event! Click here to learn more or to sign up for this exciting free opportunity!

Help the Office of Sustainability and Environment design a new program to assist under-resourced building owners

January 17, 2024 By SBC staff

Our friends at the Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) wanted us to share this exciting announcement, read on to find out how your voice can play an important role in the creation of a new program for Seattle based building owners!

Greetings and Happy New Year!

The Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) will be distributing $4.5 million to help building owners meet the Seattle Building Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS), which Mayor Harrell signed into law in December 2023. This funding was included in the 2024 budget as part of the City’s commitment to its Green New Deal. It is prioritized for capital improvements and/or engineering support to implement emissions-reduction upgrades in buildings that serve frontline communities.¹

OSE is currently designing a program to distribute the funds and as part of the design process, we are seeking input on elements such as applicant eligibility or scoring criteria, award sizes and distribution, and other topics. One way we’re gathering that input is through a brief survey we’re distributing to building owners, energy service providers, community organizations, affordable housing advocates, and others. Please complete the 14-question survey linked below to guide us as we build this important program, slated for launch in the first half of 2024. It should take only about 15 minutes.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/V8HXQ66

The survey will close on January 31, 2024, so please don’t wait to share your thoughts. Thank you in advance for taking the time to provide us with your valuable insights.

Seattle’s Building Emissions Performance Standard: What You Need to Know Now

Seattle Clean Buildings Accelerator

Help the Office of Sustainability and Environment design a new program to assist under-resourced building owners

Who should attend?

What you will leave with:

Less Carbon, More Action! Strategies for Better Buildings & Tech Education

Contact Us