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Building Emissions Performance Standard Policy Updates

January 19, 2024 By SBC staff

Seattle’s Building Emissions Performance Standard: What You Need to Know Now

Start getting prepared for this new requirement!

BEPS applies to existing nonresidential and multifamily buildings greater than 20,000 square feet and sets carbon emissions targets that buildings must meet over time to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Compliance starts with benchmarking data verification and emissions reporting requirements due starting in 2027 to encourage planning and action to meet first emissions targets by 2031-2035.

Join Nicole Ballinger from OSE for a webinar on Thursday, February 1 from 10:00 to 11:30. Hosted by the Lighting Design Lab.

Learn the basics of BEPS, hear about 2024 rulemaking and program design planning, and get a sneak peek into how to estimate a building’s emissions using a greenhouse gas intensity metric. Q and A to follow.

Register for the webinar


Seattle Clean Buildings Accelerator

Reminder: the next free Light Coaching session starts January 30th and it’s not too late to enroll! This program is tailored for owners and managers of buildings 50,000 SF and larger to understand the State of WA Clean Buildings law, reduce emissions to prepare for BEPS, and get on the path to compliance.

Register for an information session on January 17th or 23rd


Help the Office of Sustainability and Environment design a new program to assist under-resourced building owners

In 2024, the Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) will be distributing $4.5 million to help building owners meet the Seattle Building Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS) that Mayor Harrell signed into law in December 2023. This funding is prioritized to provide capital and/or engineering support to implement emissions-reduction upgrades in buildings that serve frontline communities.¹

OSE is currently designing a program to distribute the funds and as part of the design process, we are seeking input on elements such as applicant eligibility and scoring criteria, award sizes and distribution, the state of knowledge among building owners, and other topics. One way we’re gathering that input is through a brief survey we’re distributing to building owners, energy service providers, community organizations, affordable housing advocates, and others. Please complete the short survey linked below to guide us as we build this important program, slated for launch in the first half of 2024. It should take only about 15 minutes.

Take the Survey

The survey will close on January 31, 2024, so please don’t wait to share your thoughts. Thank you in advance for taking the time to provide us with your valuable insights!

Filed Under: Featured Event, Resources, Webinars

Exclusive Access to 2024 National Institute Recordings – Register Now!

January 18, 2024 By SBC staff

Less Carbon, More Action! Strategies for Better Buildings & Tech Education

Come and learn about advances in building technology and educational strategies at the intersection of technician education, sustainability, energy conservation, clean energy, healthy building operations, and climate change mitigation policies. A dynamic line-up of speakers and interactive sessions:

  • Advanced Technical Research: See presentations & demonstrations by leading experts on grid interactive efficient buildings (GEB), residential energy efficiency strategies, heat pump technology, building performance standards, and more.
  • Educational Strategies: Campus as Living Lab, project-based learning, instructional lab development, BAS lesson planning, micro credentials, and more.
  • Forum of Ideas & Networking: Exchange ideas with speakers and attendees in online breakout rooms and roundtable discussions. Expand your connections & meet other professionals.
  • Virtual Expo Hall: Meet industry sponsors to learn about products, training & discounts.

Although this event is over you can still get access to the recording of the event! Click here to learn more or to sign up for this exciting free opportunity!

Filed Under: Featured Event, Resources, Webinars

January City of Seattle Webinars

January 3, 2024 By SBC staff

Residential Load Calculation Fundamentals and Insights (Manual J) and Equipment Selection (Manual S)

Thu, Jan 18 | 10am-11am | FREE

This webinar will cover how residential load calculations can transform residential heating and cooling sales. Load calculations can not only drive home comfort, energy efficiency, and excellent install planning–they can transform the customer experience, giving confidence in their selection of equipment.

https://www.lightingdesignlab.com/education/event/residential-load-calculation-fundamentals-and-insights-manual-j-and-equipment

 

Seattle’s Brand-New Building Emissions Performance Standard: What You Need to Know Now

Thu, Feb 01 | 10am-11:30am | FREE

Be in the know to start getting prepared for this new requirement! Join Nicole Ballinger from OSE to learn the basics of BEPS, hear about 2024 rulemaking and program design planning, and get a sneak peek into how to estimate a building’s emissions using a greenhouse gas intensity metric. Q and A to follow.

https://www.lightingdesignlab.com/education/event/seattle%E2%80%99s-brand-new-building-emissions-performance-standard-what-you-need-know-now

Keep an eye out for more coming in February, we will have those posted as soon as they’re finalized!

Filed Under: Education & Training, Resources, Webinars

Register now for PSE EnergyCAP Trainings

September 19, 2023 By SBC staff

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) are offering free online training for building owners and managers who need assistance completing enrollment in EnergyCAP automated exchange of natural gas data for annual energy benchmarking and reporting. This training is best for participants who are new to the benchmarking process and have not yet enrolled in PSE’s automated data exchange services for benchmarking. If you already have an EnergyCAP account and are experiencing issues with data that was migrated from MyData to EnergyCAP, or if you have incomplete consumption data in EnergyCAP, please email [email protected] for specialized assistance.

PSE EnergyCAP Overview Trainings for New Users:

  • September 21, 1:00 PM- 2:00 PM (Register Here)
  • September 28, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Register Here)
  • October 5, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Register Here)

Please note: Users attending the PSE EnergyCAP trainings must complete registration for an EnergyCAP account if they have not already done so.

EnergyCAP is a tool for commercial customers to monitor and manage PSE energy use, and allows automated benchmarking to ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.

Filed Under: Webinars

Lighting Design Lab offers two classes next month!

September 11, 2023 By SBC staff

Design for Off (TM)

Register now for Design for Off
When: Thursday, October 5, 2023 –10:00 to 11:30

A key to successful electrification is limiting building loads by adopting passive strategies, targeted systems, and deep efficiency strategies. During the webinar, we will discuss a systematic approach to take advantage of climate characteristics, building performance features, and distributed systems to minimize building loads and simplify equipment operations strategies. This session will include numerous case studies emphasizing successful high-performance building approaches and Ecotope’s Design for Off™ principles.

Audience

  • Design Engineers and Architects
  • Mechanical and Electrical Contractors
  • Building Owners/Operators

The Inflation Reduction Act: One Year Later

Register now for The Inflation Reduction Act: One Year Later
When: Thursday, October 19, 2023 –10:00 to 11:30

In this session, we will provide guidance on navigating the updated tax benefits provided by the Inflation Reduction Act, a year after its implementation. We will also discuss other tax laws affecting the energy and building industries. Our focus will be on explaining how to capture the incentives available for HVAC systems and other energy-efficient upgrades that can significantly reduce the upfront costs for building owners. Additionally, we will explore the renewed incentives for alternative energy generation systems and energy-efficiency improvements. We will delve into the tax-exempt project categories that have been eligible for EPAct tax benefits for a year now. Our discussion will also touch on the legacy tax incentives available for designers and how energy companies and building owners can access them. Our objective is to provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of how to incorporate these incentives into energy and building project ROI calculations.

Audience

  • General Contractors
  • Architects and Design Engineers
  • Building Owners/Operators

Filed Under: Education & Training, Webinars

Smart Buildings Exchange 2023 Session Recordings Available!

August 25, 2023 By SBC staff

Last week the third annual Smart Buildings Exchange (SBX) delivered a value-packed three days of conversations focused on the market opportunity for smart buildings and their role in our clean energy future.

The conference kicked off with an Opening Plenary featuring industry leaders discussing strategies to accelerate the pace of making buildings smarter, more efficient and carbon free.

Following the Opening Plenary session were sessions on Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings, Data in Context, Being Smart About Variable Occupancy, and Moving Beyond Fault Detection & Diagnostics.

The second day of the conference began with a Plenary Session on Smart Approaches for Building Electrification & Carbon Reduction. The day continued with sessions on Independent Data Layer, Building Rating Systems & Certifications, On-Site Renewables & EV Charging, and Indoor Environmental Quality.

The third and final day of the conference focused on Planning Your Strategy for Smart & Efficient Upgrades and was held in-person in Seattle and featured welcome remarks from Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell followed by discussions on how buildings can operate smarter and more efficiently with an aim to eliminate carbon emissions from the built environment.

All SBX session recordings are now available on the Smart Buildings Center YouTube Channel so you can watch any you missed and rewatch any you enjoyed.

Thank you to all sponsors, planning committee members, speakers, and attendees who helped make the event a success!

Filed Under: Education & Training, Featured Event, SBC News, SBX, Webinars

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Smart Buildings Center
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Seattle, WA 98144

206-538-0832

[email protected]

Smart Buildings Center is a project collaboration with Building Potential

        

Smart Buildings Center · Pacific Tower, 1200 12th Ave. S., Suite 110, Seattle, WA 98144 · 206-538-0832

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