Washington State Clean Buildings Performance Standard

What is the Clean Buildings Law?

The Clean Buildings for Washington (HB 1257) is a statewide energy performance standard enacted in 2019 and updated through subsequent legislation.

The law required the Washington State Department of Commerce to develop and implement an energy performance standard for commercial buildings and provide incentives to encourage efficiency improvements. Known as the Clean Buildings Performance Standard (CBPS), it applies to many commercial and multifamily buildings over 20,000 square feet.

Under this law, building owners must track energy use, develop an operations and maintenance program, and create an energy management plan outlining how the building will manage and improve performance.

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Does this apply to you?

The law splits buildings into two tiers with different targets and compliance deadlines for each:

  • Tier 1 covers all commercial buildings over 50,000 square feet.
  • Tier 2 covers commercial properties between 20,000 and 50,000 square feet and multifamily properties over 20,000 square feet.

 

When do you need to act?

The Department of Commerce is currently updating CBPS rules and guidance following passage of HB 1543 in 2025, which created additional compliance flexibility, exemptions, and pathways. Building owners should consult Commerce for the latest rulemaking updates and implementation guidance.

Some Tier 1 deadlines begin in 2026 and rollout in phases depending on building size. Tier 2 deadlines begin July 1, 2027.

  • Compliance deadlines depend on building size and type
  • Financial penalties may apply for late compliance

Visit Commerce's Clean Buildings Performance Standard webpage for more information.

 

How Chelan PUD Can Help

Early Adopter Program

To help building owners improve energy performance, the Washington State Department of Commerce offers the Early Adopter Incentive Program. There is a $0.30 per square foot Early Adopter Incentive for buildings 20,000 to 50,000 square feet on a first-come, first-served basis.

Commerce makes eligibility and award decisions, and Chelan PUD administers the incentive payments on behalf of the state.

 

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ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager

ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager helps businesses track and compare energy and water use with similar buildings nationwide. Use of this tool is required under the Clean Buildings Law.

Chelan PUD provides aggregated, building-level electric consumption data to the building owner or authorized representatives and can assist with uploading available historical data.

 

Chelan PUD Commercial Incentives

Chelan PUD commercial incentive programs can help pay for qualifying energy efficiency improvements, whether it’s a simple equipment upgrade or entirely custom energy-saving project unique to your business.

  • Custom incentives
  • Heat pumps
  • Insulation
  • Lighting and controls
  • Heat pump water heaters
  • Thermostats
  • Windows

 

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Strategic Energy Management

The Chelan PUD team works with building owners and their energy managers to identify savings opportunities and meet CBPS requirements.

Additionally, we’re partnered with Wenatchee School District’s Student Energy Managers — interns trained to put together energy management plans and maintenance and operation programs that identify no-cost/low-cost energy-saving opportunities in buildings to help meet the CBPS requirements. If you have questions about the Student Energy Managers program and how it works, please contact Jim White, Chelan PUD Principal Energy Conservation Engineer at (509) 661-8008.


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Contact Us

We encourage you to start early to take full advantage of available incentives and ensure timely compliance.

Need assistance from Chelan PUD? Call (509) 661-8008 today!

  • Jim White, Principal Energy Conservation Engineer
  • Drew Thompson, Commercial Energy Advisor