Blog - Smart Buildings Center

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!

Episode 10 of Reframe Podcast hosted by Jeff Nichols w/ guest Jennifer Ewing: Sustainability Manager for City of Bellevue, WA

September 5, 2025 By SBC staff

For more about Reframe and more episodes check out Reframe Podcast — Pilotlight Solutions.

In episode 10 of the Reframe podcast, show host Jeff Nichols interviews Jennifer Ewing, Sustainability Manager for the City of Bellevue, Washington. They discuss Jennifer’s role and how Bellevue has boldly pursued its sustainability initiatives over the past two decades, emphasizing the strategic importance of local action in addressing the impacts and safeguards against climate change.

Jennifer explains how cities must strike a balance between growth, resilience, and sustainability, and the importance of stewardship, community engagement, and storytelling in advancing Bellevue’s sustainability goals.

Jennifer’s perspective highlights how cities like Bellevue are at the forefront of climate action. By integrating climate resilience and sustainability into both operations and community planning, engaging residents directly, and collaborating across cities, local governments can drive meaningful change.

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gqHhZEJ2
Listen on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gZ5qTYGV

If you have questions or feedback for the Reframe team, please email us at [email protected]. You can also follow the show through your preferred app to stay updated on future episodes!

Reframe is hosted by Jeff Nichols and presented by Pilotlight.ai/podcast.

City of Tacoma Hiring Business Energy Programs Manager

September 2, 2025 By SBC staff

Tacoma Power’s Customer Energy Solutions Section is seeking an experienced Business Energy Programs Manager. This position is based in Tacoma, Washington, in the heart of the Puget Sound region near both urban amenities and the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

As the Business Energy Programs Manager, you will lead a team of nine engineers and program professionals dedicated to designing and delivering energy programs for Tacoma Power’s commercial, industrial, government, institutional, and multifamily customers. Your role is to provide strategic direction and technical leadership in the development, marketing, and implementation of customer-focused energy services. Your team will identify and implement cost-effective energy solutions for a wide range of customer types and building systems, ensuring programs achieve measurable results.

Duties and responsibilities include:

Managing day-to-day energy program implementation, technical oversight, and ensuring alignment with utility goals and targets. Overseeing program development process from initial concept and market identification to pilot development and scale up, to on-going evaluation and maintenance, through to final exit strategy.
Preparing and delivering presentations to diverse audiences on programs such as energy efficiency, distributed generation, electrification, decarbonization, and load management.
Leading the technical review and approval of custom project savings analyses and associated measurement and verification (M&V) plans and reports in accordance with industry protocols and Tacoma Power standards. Develop program tools such as calculators, technical specifications, and workflow diagrams to support consistent, high-quality delivery. Monitoring program performance to make strategic adjustments as needed.
Managing the Commercial & Industrial budget (O&M and capital) and approving large conservation incentive payments.
Overseeing contract negotiations, preparing resolutions for the Public Utility Board (PUB), and securing approvals from senior management and, when required, City Council.

Does this sound like your next big move? Check out the full listing here: Business Energy Programs Manager | Job Details tab | Career Pages

Free webinar: Seattle’s ambitious Metropole Project | Sep 22

September 2, 2025 By SBC staff

Metropole-exterior-email

Join BetterBricks and the University of Washington Integrated Design Lab for a no-cost webinar on the Metropole Project—a set of 19th-century buildings reimagined as a vibrant, sustainable hub for community, culture, and collaboration. Earn 1 AIA HSW credit as you learn how the project incorporates historic preservation and integrated design principles to set a new standard for efficient building renewal.

The first event is a live webinar featuring the building owner and design team as they share the project’s vision, challenges, and integrated design strategies. Then, those in the Seattle area can optionally join us for an in-person tour and gathering at the Metropole to experience first-hand the building’s high-performance features and community impact.

These events are ideal for architects, mechanical engineers, building owners and managers, and sustainability professionals interested in adaptive reuse, deep energy retrofits, and whole-building integrated design.

Meet the BEACON fellows: Whatcom County

August 28, 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.

Whatcom County: Adeline Coggins

Where is your host site?

I am working with the City of Bellingham and the Whatcom County community.

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m a recent graduate from Western Washington University, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business and Sustainability along with a Climate Leadership Certificate. I’m originally from Tacoma, where I grew up with a strong appreciation for nature and the environment. I’ve lived in Washington my whole life and am passionate about building more sustainable and resilient communities.

Why did you apply to be a BEACON fellow?

I applied to be a BEACON fellow because I’m interested in the energy sector and want to be part of the transition to clean, equitable energy solutions. I’m especially excited about the opportunity to work directly with my community and support local efforts that address climate and energy challenges. This fellowship aligns with my passion for sustainability and my desire to make a tangible impact at the local level.

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

Meet the BEACON fellows: Chelan County

August 21, 2025 By SBC staff

This article was originally shared by commerce.wa.gov, learn more about BEACON Project at: Building Efficiency and Clean Operations Network (BEACON) Fellowship Project – Washington State Department of Commerce

The Building Efficiency and Clean Operations Network (BEACON) Project launched in June 2025, placing 10 fellows across the state to provide free, technical assistance to building owners working to meet the Clean Buildings Performance Standard (CBPS). The Smart Buildings Center is supporting the project with training and technical support for the fellows. We are sharing features of BEACON fellows from different counties for the next few weeks that are published by the Department of Commerce. If you’re interested in receiving assistance from a BEACON fellow, please complete the BEACON Project Interest Form.

Chelan County: Ava Burk

Where is your host site?

My service area is Chelan County, and my host site is Wenatchee Valley College.

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am originally from Omaha, Nebraska, but I currently live in Wenatchee. I recently graduated from Wenatchee Valley College, and I was on the Sustainability Committee for the entirety of my time at WVC. I am passionate about nurturing a balance of enabled play in the natural world while enforcing the protection of it. There’s no other place I’d rather be than outside, which is why I am so keen on conserving nature.

Why did you apply to be a BEACON fellow?

I applied to be a BEACON Fellow because I want to create sustainable cities. Energy efficient measures are an incredibly effective way to begin transforming the relationship between the built environment and the natural world. Through sustainable initiatives, urban areas and the natural world can thrive in harmony. I am incredibly excited to be a part of this process.

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

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