SBC staff, Author at Smart Buildings Center

Sign up today for 5/16 – Regional Energy Listening Session: Sierra and Rural Forested Communities

April 26, 2023 By SBC staff

Please join us on Tuesday, May 16, from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., via Zoom, for the “Regional Energy Listening Session: Sierra and Rural Forested Communities.” Click here to register!
The Listening Session will focus on the opportunities, barriers, and resources needed to make energy independence and reliability a reality in the Sierra and Rural forested communities. Discussion topics include forest biomass energy, integrating microgrid technologies, and the energy sector workforce pipeline.
We’ll be joined by experts:

Elizabeth Betancourt (Natural and Working Lands Policy Advisor, Department of Conservation);
Andrea Schumer (Resilience Coordinator for Microgrid Policy & Pricing Planning, PG&E);
and NEEC’s very own Melanie L. Danuser! (Director of Education & Training, Northwest Energy Efficiency Council).

Input gathered from this Listening Session will be used to inform statewide energy policy advocacy, building on California Forward’s (CA FWD) Energy Call to Action, which provides a framework for how stakeholders can break through silos and work across sectors to advance energy solutions.
This Listening Session is co-hosted by CA FWD and the Sierra Business Council, and in partnership with CivicWell; CSU Chico – North State Planning & Development Collective; High Sierra Energy Foundation; Sierra Nevada Alliance; and Sonoma County Water Agency.

Happy Earth Day 2023!

April 21, 2023 By SBC staff

We may be one day early, but we just can’t help but be excited when Earth Day comes around! We hope you’re excited too because we made a fun graphic to show just how much you can help be green all year round. Are you interested to know what kind of impact you have on the environment? With the help of the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator we made this poster to show what you can accomplish as a BOC graduate, we’ve updated our site with the same calculator here so you can find out just how much you make a difference this year and every year. Want to learn more about getting your BOC Credential? You can learn more here!

Stay green and have a Happy Earth Day!

Clean Buildings Accelerator is Recruiting a New Light Coaching Cohort!

April 13, 2023 By SBC staff

The Seattle Clean Buildings Accelerator is recruiting for a new Light Coaching Cohort starting in May 2023! All City Light customers are eligible. Join an online info session on April 20 (register here) or May 2 (register here) to learn how this free program helps facility managers and owners get their commercial buildings (larger than 50,000 sq. ft.) on track for meeting the WA Clean Buildings energy standards and reducing emissions. More info or email [email protected].

April and May Classes at Lighting Design Lab

April 5, 2023 By SBC staff

2021 Energy Code Update Series – Envelope https://www.lightingdesignlab.com/education/event/2021-energy-code-update-series-envelope
Thu, Apr 27 | 10am-noon | FREE

The April 27th webinar will cover the building envelope provisions of the Seattle and Washington state energy codes for “commercial buildings,” highlighting requirements that are new to this year’s code and the differences between the Seattle and State codes.

MAY

2021 Energy Code Update Series – Lighting & Electric https://www.lightingdesignlab.com/education/event/2021-energy-code-update-series-lighting-electric
Tue, May 16 | 10am-noon | FREE

The May 16th webinar will cover electrical and lighting provisions of the 2021 Seattle and Washington state energy codes for “commercial buildings,” highlighting requirements that are new to this year’s code and the differences between the Seattle and State codes.

2021 Energy Code Update Series – HVAC https://www.lightingdesignlab.com/education/event/2021-energy-code-update-series-hvac
Tue, May 23 | 10am-noon | FREE

The May 23rd webinar will cover the HVAC provisions of the 2021 Seattle and Washington state energy codes for “commercial buildings,” highlighting requirements that are new to this year’s code and the differences between the Seattle and State codes.

2021 Energy Code Update Series – Water Heating https://www.lightingdesignlab.com/education/event/2021-energy-code-update-series-water-heating
Tue, May 30 | 10am-noon | FREE

The May 30th webinar will cover the water heating provisions of the 2021 Seattle and Washington state energy codes for “commercial buildings,” highlighting requirements that are new to this year’s code and the differences between the Seattle and state codes.

Quick Survey: Smart Buildings Center Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

March 30, 2023 By SBC staff

We need your voice! Please consider taking less than 5 minutes to complete our survey on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. We want to hear from everyone, yes that includes YOU!

The Smart Buildings Center (SBC) is conducting a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) assessment to analyze SBC program reach, participation, and success rates as a means for establishing baseline metrics and setting goals for improvement. As part of this assessment, we invite you to respond to a short DEI survey. Your participation in this survey is anonymous and all questions are optional. We appreciate you taking time to provide data which will inform our action plan aimed at increasing the reach of SBC programs and initiatives.

We ask that you only submit one survey response, but please feel free to share with your colleagues!

TAKE THE SURVEY

Tier 2 Rulemaking Kick-Off Webinar April 13th 10:30AM – 12PM

March 23, 2023 By SBC staff

On March 25, 2022, Governor Inslee signed the Clean Buildings expansion bill into law. The expansion applies to buildings between 20,000-50,000 square feet, adding a new second tier that includes multifamily buildings. The first phase of this law is not a performance standard. It will require reporting on benchmarking, energy management plans and operations and maintenance programs for Tier 2 buildings.

Reporting for this new tier is expected to begin July 1, 2027. The expansion bill also included an incentive program with an additional $150 million available for Tier 2 buildings at a rate of .30 cents per square foot. The new law requires Commerce to complete rulemaking by December 1, 2023.

Commerce will host a series of workshops to establish rules, reporting requirements, and the incentive program for Tier 2 buildings. The kick-off meeting will be a pre-rulemaking webinar, introducing the Clean Buildings Expansion and rulemaking basics.

We hope you can join us during our upcoming stakeholder engagement sessions. Commerce is hosting a Pre-Rulemaking Webinar: Introduction to the Clean Buildings Expansion on April 13, 2023, from 10:30am to 12:00pm PT. Please register in advance to receive a calendar reminder or save the meeting information below.

Zoom Meeting link

Meeting ID: 858 2192 0472

Passcode: 183331

Future workshop schedules will be announced via the Clean Buildings Bulletin and the Commerce webpage.

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