The Clean Buildings Team at the Washington State Department of Commerce is currently seeking feedback from industry professionals about your experience with the Clean Buildings Performance Standard.  We would like to hear from you about how you or your organization’s workforce has been impacted by the Clean Buildings Performance Standard.

Please complete the following survey at your convenience and to the best of your knowledge: Workforce Development Survey.

Survey responses will be used to inform our team’s understanding of the Clean Buildings Performance Standard impact and anonymous results may be communicated in Clean Buildings Performance Standard reports.  Please note that survey responses are anonymous, unless you specify that our team may contact you with follow-up questions.

Thank you in advance for your participation. If you have any questions, you can reach out to [email protected].

During the 2026 Legislative Session, the supplemental capital budget (SSB 6003) was passed, with Section 1024 directing the Washington State Department of Commerce to convene a District Energy Campus Upgrades Committee.

The committee helps drive data-informed decisions about cost-effective investments that reduce emissions, improve the energy efficiency of state buildings, and identify opportunities for state agencies to support decarbonization projects within available budgets.

On July 6, an RFP was launched to hire a contractor to lead the Committee, produce a report with a prioritized list of recommended capital projects for state campuses, and develop an analysis of barriers to state agencies using energy-as-a-service and participating in public-private partnerships. If you have Washington Electronic Business Solution (WEBS) account, you can log into WEBS to access the RFP. You can also find information on the Clean Buildings website.

Commerce is hosting a pre-proposal conference on Monday July 13 at 1 p.m., where you can learn more and ask questions about the RPF.

Join the July 13 pre-proposal conference

Please note, under the legislative proviso, only nonprofit entities are eligible to apply.

Commerce also launched an application to serve on the committee on July 6. Eight voting members will serve on the Committee from September 2026-June 2027, and Committee members will play a key role in reviewing decarbonization plans and developing a system to prioritize proposed decarbonization projects. To review the full committee members’ responsibilities, review the Section 1024 of SSB 6003 and the committee application.

Commerce will provide regular updates in the Clean Buildings Bulletin. A new section dedicated to the District Energy Campus Upgrades Committee will be launched on Commerce’s Clean Buildings webpage soon. If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected].

2026 Building Decarbonization Grant Program Now Accepting Applications!

The Building Decarbonization Grant program is open to applications through August 10 and will award up to $4 million for projects at BEPS-covered buildings. These grants will help fund engineering design and capital retrofit projects to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from recipient buildings ahead of BEPS compliance deadlines. As in 2025, OSE will prioritize buildings like nonprofits, affordable housing, senior housing, and other facilities serving frontline communities, as well as buildings whose current energy data show them exceeding upcoming BEPS greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) targets. However, all buildings covered by BEPS are eligible and encouraged to apply. All grant information is posted on the Building Emissions Navigator webpage.

Key Details

• Pre-Application Info Session: OSE’s info session on May 6 covered the application guidelines, eligible projects, tips for project readiness, and examples of prior awardee projects. Those unable to attend can view a recording of the session and access the presentation slides on the Navigator webpage.

• Eligibility: Buildings must be covered by Seattle’s BEPS to be eligible. These include multifamily or nonresidential (i.e., commercial) buildings larger than 20,000 square feet.
• Application: Apply via the link on the Navigator webpage. In the coming weeks, OSE is hosting two information sessions on Zoom, with pre-registration required. The sessions will be recorded and posted on the Navigator webpage.
  • Wednesday, May 27, 12:30 – 1:30 PM. Register here
  • Tuesday, June 16, 5 – 6 PM. Register here
• Deadline: Submit the online application form by August 10, 2026, at 8 PM to be considered.

• Technical Assistance: Free technical assistance is available to applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. Buildings owned or occupied by nonprofit organizations, or serving Seattle’s Frontline communities will be prioritized, but all buildings are eligible. Apply for assistance now!

Building Emissions Navigator Coaching Cohorts

To help you understand BEPS and develop your path to compliance, the City of Seattle provides support through the Seattle Building Emissions Navigator. The Navigator offers free group training and customized technical assistance for your building — and it’s available to building operators, owners, and property management teams.  

Three cohorts are currently underway, and the Navigator will host at least one additional cohort starting this fall:

• Virtual cohort with four monthly workshops, starting September 16

Before enrolling in the program, you must attend a one-hour online info session or watch the info session recording. Then email [email protected] to request an enrollment form.

Bridge the gap between organizational priorities and facility investments.

Facility strategic planning helps organizations ensure their facilities support, rather than hinder, their mission. By connecting facility data, asset management, and capital planning, leaders can make smarter investment decisions, manage risk, and position their organizations for future growth.

The importance of aligning facilities with organizational objectives is also reflected in APPA‘s body of knowledge on strategic asset management and campus facilities planning, which emphasizes connecting facility decisions to institutional mission, risk management, and long-term stewardship. Learn more >> APPA Resources on Strategic Planning and Asset Management 

Unlike traditional maintenance planning, which often focuses on immediate repairs or annual budgets, facility strategic planning takes a long-term view of how facilities support organizational performance.

Facility strategic planning is most effective when it is supported by accurate facility data and a structured planning framework. Organizations looking to build a stronger foundation for long-term decision-making should start with a comprehensive facility condition assessment, which provides the asset data needed to identify risks, prioritize investments, and develop actionable capital plans. [Learn more about Facility Condition Assessment best practices] 

A comprehensive facility strategy considers:

• Organizational priorities and strategic goals
• Facility condition and performance
• Asset lifecycle requirements
• Functional adequacy and space needs
• Deferred maintenance obligations
• Risk and resilience considerations
• Capital funding requirements
• Long-term investment priorities

The result is a roadmap that helps organizations make informed decisions about maintaining, renewing, modernizing, and investing in their facilities.

Read the original article and find more information at FEA Blog: Facility Strategic Planning: Turning Organizational Goals into Facility and Capital Investment Strategies – FEA