The Washington Clean Buildings Act (HB 1257), also known as the Clean Buildings Law, establishes energy performance standards for commercial and multifamily residential buildings larger than 20,000 square feet.
For more information about the law and compliance requirements, visit the Washington State Department of Commerce Clean Buildings webpage.
Tier 1 Buildings
- Benchmark and track building energy use over time
- Implement an operations and maintenance (O&M) program
- Create an energy management plan (EMP)
- Meet an energy performance target through one of the following pathways:
- Meet the Energy Use Intensity Target (EUIt)
- Complete an energy audit and implement all cost-effective energy efficiency measures (Investment Criteria pathway)
Tier 2 Buildings
- Benchmark and track building energy use over time
- Implement an operations and maintenance program
- Create an energy management plan
Compliance dates are organized based on the floor area of buildings that fall under the law. Building owners will then need to comply every five years after their first compliance date.
| Tier 1 Compliance Schedule | |
| June 1, 2026: | Buildings greater than 220,000 sq. ft. |
| June 1, 2027: | Buildings greater than 90,000 sq. ft. and less than 220,001 sq. ft. |
| June 1, 2028: | Buildings greater than 50,000 sq. ft. and less than 90,001 sq. ft. |
| Tier 2 Compliance Schedule | |
| July 1, 2027 | Commercial buildings greater than 20,000 sq. ft. and less than 50,001 sq. ft. & all multifamily residential buildings greater than 20,000 sq. ft |
Early Adopter Incentive Program
- building owners who achieve early compliance with the Clean Buildings Performance Standard may qualify for state incentive funding.
- Lewis County PUD is a participating utility and will work with Department of Commerce and the building owner to administer the incentive.
- To learn more and see if your project may be eligible, visit the Clean Buildings Early Adopter Incentive Program.
Energy Star Portfolio Manager
- The Clean Buildings Law requires buildings to report their energy performance using Energy Star Portfolio Manager.
- Benchmarking helps determine potential compliance pathways and establish an Energy Use Intensity Target (EUIt).
- Lewis County PUD can provide aggregated building-level electric consumption data to building owners or authorized representatives.
- To request benchmarking data, complete the Data Exchange Request Form and email it to energyservices@lcpud.org
LCPUD Energy Efficiency Programs
- Lewis County PUD offers free energy assessments for commercial and industrial customers
- These assessments help identify potential efficiency improvements and available incentives.
- These assessments do not meet the audit requirements of the Clean Buildings Law.
- Building owners completing upgrades to meet EUI targets may qualify for LCPUD energy efficiency incentives.
- Learn more about available programs at: LCPUD Commercial & Industrial Energy Efficiency Programs