Blog - Smart Buildings Center

SBX 2025 Agenda Highlights

September 26, 2025 By SBC staff

In addition to the State of Buildings panel (highlighted here) and the Innovation Showcase panel (to be highlighted very soon!), SBX 2025 will provide attendees the opportunity to hear inspiring messages from industry leaders about how the Pacific Northwest is helping to shape the national smart buildings transition and uniquely positioned to lead the US through the energy market transformation.

We hope to see you on November 5^th – register by October 10^th to save on early-bird pricing!

Register now & save at www.sbxconference.org/register/

For previous SBX 2025 updates, check out our blog feed and to view the full SBX agenda visit www.sbxconference.org/fall-conference/

Meet the BEACON fellows: Lewis County

September 18, 2025 By SBC staff

The Building Efficiency and Clean Operations Network (BEACON) Project officially launched in June 2025, with 10 fellows across the state providing free technical assistance to help building owners comply with the Clean Buildings Performance Standard (CBPS).

We’ll feature BEACON fellows from different counties for the next few weeks. If you’re interested in receiving assistance from a BEACON fellow, please complete the BEACON Project Interest Form.

Mike Bowen

Who is your host site?

I work at Centralia College and serve Lewis County. I hope to branch out to other surrounding counties as needed by covered buildings.

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m from Western New York and currently study Sustainable Energy Management at SUNY ESF in Syracuse, with a minor in Sustainable Construction. I’m also working toward my LEED GA certification. Before pursuing my ambition to move west, I gained more than two years of experience in the renewable energy field. I’ve been in Washington for almost two years and enjoy playing basketball and being outdoors to fish, camp and kayak.

Why did you apply to be a BEACON fellow?

It was my goal to stay in the energy sector when I moved to Washington, but it is different from state to state. New York has a booming solar industry, while Washington has the first-in-nation Clean Buildings standard. With a background in sustainable buildings, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to learn more about energy in a different capacity.

Mike provides Clean Buildings Performance Standard (CBPS) support to Tier 1 and Tier 2 buildings in Lewis County. To receive services, please complete the BEACON Project Interest Form. You can also email Mike at [email protected].

SCL 2025 Trade Ally Meet and Greet

September 18, 2025 By SBC staff

Don’t miss Seattle City Light’s 2025 in-person meet and greet, designed especially for our valued trade allies. Connect directly with incentive Program Managers, learn about upcoming developments for 2026, and share feedback to help shape the future of City Light’s programs. Plus, network with fellow trade allies!

Event Details

Enjoy light breakfast refreshments and enter a raffle to win prizes!

Date: Thursday, November 13th, 2025
Time: 9:00 am-11:30 am
Location: Panoramic Room, 8th Floor
Smart Buildings Center – Pacific Tower
1200 12^th Ave S
Seattle, WA 98144

Agenda:

9:00-9:30 am: Networking and refreshments
9:30-10:30 am: Keynote, program presentations, and a TA success story
10:30-11:30 am: Open house where trade allies meet with City Light staff at dedicated program tables
11:30 am: Raffle drawing

You’ll also hear from and meet with The Lab and the Office of Sustainability & Environment.

Space is limited, so reserve your spot today. We hope to see you there!

SCL Launches Commercial Strategic Energy Management (CSEM) and Multifamily Strategic Energy Management (MSEM), Register Today!

September 18, 2025 By SBC staff

Seattle City Light is offering a new no-cost program for commercial and multifamily buildings that are larger than 20,000 square feet. The Commercial Strategic Energy Management (CSEM) launches this fall! And Multifamily Strategic Energy Management (MSEM) will launch in early 2026. This coaching and training program will help commercial and multifamily buildings lower their energy consumption, prepare to meet the requirements of the Washington Clean Buildings Performance Standard (WA CBPS) and—for buildings within the city limits of Seattle—the Seattle Building Emissions Performance Standard (Seattle BEPS). Here are some of the benefits of participating in this program:

Learn how to lower operating costs and achieve persistent energy saving and emissions reduction.
Get on the path to compliance with both the Washington Clean Buildings Performance Standard and Seattle Building Emissions Performance Standard.
Join dynamic quarterly workshops, offering technical and organizational training and the opportunity to share practices and solutions alongside peers.
Work with an energy and climate coach for ongoing support throughout the program – up to two years. This includes:

o One site walkthrough to identify energy-saving opportunities and help prioritizing project implementation.

o Assessments and action plan to support integrating energy into business practices.

o Coordination with the organization’s extended energy team to address specific needs and goals.

The program is free for participants. Your investment is your time spent attending workshops and activities – an investment which should yield energy savings as well as valuable organizational benefits.

Want to learn more about the Seattle City Light SEM program? Join an upcoming 60-minute information session! Register in advance:

Questions? Email: Seattle City Light Energy Advisors, [email protected]

Smart Buildings Exchange (SBX): State of Buildings

September 16, 2025 By SBC staff

In the first of two panel discussions at SBX 2025, Tom Marseille (Sazan Group) will lead the conversation between Emily Salzberg (Washington State Department of Commerce), Tom Williams (DB Engineering), Martin Clinton (UMC), and Tom Anderson (Puget Sound Energy) on the State of Buildings – what’s working, what’s not, and what kinds of solutions are needed.

State of Buildings – what’s working, what’s not
Building owners and operators are facing a convergence of challenges—rising costs, growing decarbonization expectations, aging infrastructure, workforce shortages, cybersecurity threats, and evolving occupant needs. In this panel discussion, leaders from both the public and private sectors will share their candid perspectives on the current state of the industry: what’s working, what’s stuck, and what kinds of solutions they need most.

The full agenda for the 2025 Smart Buildings Exchange Fall Conference is available at sbxconference.org/fall-conference/. After the State of Buildings discussion, an Innovation Showcase panel will highlight strategies for smarter, safer, more responsive buildings and the event will conclude with a networking happy hour, sponsored by Building Potential.

Register now to join us in Seattle on November 5th!

Check Out Our Tool Library Video Tutorials – on the SBC YouTube Channel!

September 10, 2025 By SBC staff

With support from Energy Trust of Oregon, Seattle City Light, Puget Sound Energy, and Washington State Department of Commerce, the Smart Buildings Center (SBC) provides our Tool Lending Library of energy monitoring and diagnostic tools, a free resource serving the commercial building operations sector in Washington and Oregon. Check out the latest tool videos we’ve added to our Tool Lending Library Tutorials playlist on our YouTube channel, including titles such as:

The tools demonstrated (and many more) are available to borrow free of charge at the Smart Buildings Center website. Follow us on our YouTube Channel for additional video tutorials and other smart buildings content!

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