Blog - Smart Buildings Center

SBC Welcomes Two New Partners: Custom Energy and Cascade Natural Gas!

July 10, 2025 By SBC staff

Custom Energy specializes in providing bespoke energy solutions that cater to the unique needs of your business. As a woman-owned and family-operated company, Custom Energy understands that each building has its own set of requirements. That’s why Custom Energy approaches energy management with a customer-centric mindset, designing tailored plans that not only meet your specific needs but also adhere to local government regulations.

Custom Energy knows that navigating the State of Washington’s Clean Buildings Act can be complex, and compliance is essential. Custom Energy’s team is dedicated to taking the burden off your shoulders by delivering a comprehensive, multi-year strategy to help you avoid costly fines and ensure you meet all compliance standards.

Learn more about Custom Energy at custom-energy.com.

Cascade Natural Gas (CNGC) Commercial and Industrial Program provides rebates for the installation of eligible high-performance equipment upgrades to help optimize operating budgets and reduce energy use at your facility. Reducing energy consumption and increasing energy efficiency is a proven strategy for cutting and controlling costs.

Learn more from the CNGC Commercial Industrial Incentive Brochure and by visiting the Commercial Rebates Offering page.

To learn more about Smart Buildings Center partnership opportunities please see smartbuildingscenter.org/partner-benefits.

Scholarships for Oregon Small Biz Industrial Symbiosis Study Tour: Apply by 7/15

July 1, 2025 By SBC staff

Business Oregon is partnering with CSI once more for an Oregon-to-Denmark Industrial Symbiosis Study Tour taking place September 21-27, 2025.

Thanks to Business Oregon’s generous support, up to 14 Oregon businesses will receive a scholarship of $3,000 (for businesses with 100 to 250 employees) or $5,000 (for businesses with fewer than 100 employees). If selected, participating businesses will be responsible for the remainder of the tuition ($800 or $2,800), plus transportation costs to and from Denmark. DEADLINE TO APPLY IS JULY 15TH!

Companies that use significant heat, water, and organic materials in their production facilities – including food, beverage, and wood products businesses — will discover and see first-hand remarkable strategies deployed by the Danes that boost the bottom line and improve sustainability performance at the same time.

Thanks to a grant from the Scan Design Foundation, the delegation will include a bipartisan group of 8 Oregon State Legislators.

Follow the link to learn more and to apply.

Seattle City Light Announces Increased 2025 Energy Efficiency Incentives

June 26, 2025 By SBC staff

Seattle City Light has increased energy efficiency incentives by 10 percent! This applies to lighting retrofits, HVAC, building envelope upgrades, and process equipment improvements. Energy efficiency remains an excellent cost management tool for building owners. An additional $75 per fixture is available for LED installations with Luminaire Level Lighting Controls (LLLC). LLLC-equipped fixtures offer easy customization of facility lighting, enhancing productivity, and reducing operating costs. FYI: Lighting incentives will sunset after 2029, so add them to your capital budget now. Most HVAC and Building Controls measures are paid at $0.36/kWh saved. For details, review the updated 2025 incentives list, which outlines frequently used energy efficiency incentives for your whole building.

Get started today! Contact an Energy Advisor at [email protected] or call (206) 684-3800 for additional information.

Resource available: Get the facts about air quality for schools

June 23, 2025 By SBC staff

The Center for Green Schools, in partnership with ASHRAE, has just released newly updated School Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Fact Sheet series.These concise, easy-to-understand resources are designed for school staff and decision-makers without a technical background, helping them make informed choices about indoor air quality. With expert input from across the country, the series has been updated to reflect the latest guidance on school IAQ strategies.

The series includes two brand-new fact sheets on IAQ monitoring and wildfire response, as well as updated resources covering ventilation, HVAC filtration, germicidal UV, in-room air cleaners, electronic air cleaners, and disinfectants.

We encourage you to share these fact sheets with school district leaders, staff, and your broader networks who are looking for IAQ resources for schools.

Download the school IAQ fact sheets.

Bellevue 2030 District Summer Social

June 17, 2025 By SBC staff

We’re proud to join the Bellevue 2030 District for their 2nd Annual Summer Social, happening Thursday, June 26th from 4–6 PM in the vibrant Spring District!

This event brings together leaders in real estate, sustainability, design, and community development to celebrate progress toward a more resilient and energy-efficient Bellevue. Enjoy networking, light refreshments, and inspiring conversations with fellow changemakers.

RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1335557611769
Location: Spring District, Bellevue
Time: 4:00–6:00 PM | Thursday, June 26

Let’s keep building a sustainable future—together!

Building Management Personnel, We Need to Hear from You! Clean Buildings Performance Standard Survey closes 6/20

June 10, 2025 By SBC staff

We need to hear from you! Please check out the flyer and QR code below to respond to our survey so we can learn more about the challenges and opportunities that you may be facing in complying with the Clean Buildings Performance Standard (CBPS). We respect your privacy and all responses will remain anonymous, this information will be used to help us discover how we can help YOU better understand the CBPS and assist you and your teams in achieving compliance.

This survey is a joint effort of the Smart Buildings Center and NEEA, the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance. Click here to visit the webpage for the survey in a new window. The survey closes next Friday 6/20 and should only take a few minutes to complete so don’t delay!

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