Many schools need help understanding the Clean Buildings Program’s compliance expectations. This Tier 1 & Tier 2 Factsheet provides requirements and compliance schedule information.
Tier 2 (20,000+ sf) compliance only goes so far as benchmarking (tracking energy usage). Tier 1 buildings (50,000+sf) are responsible for meeting an energy performance metric for their building by meeting an energy use intensity target (EUIt) or through the investment criteria.
Tier 2 schools will be sent a notification letter indicating their Tier 2 status in July 2025. Yet, the initial date to comply with requirements to track energy usage, establish a point person, and other compliance mandates is July 1, 2027, and every five years after that. The notifications will be sent to the building owner by the Department of Commerce, so schools that lease their property should be aware that the building owner will need the school’s partnership to meet compliance.
Schools needing support should contact their utility provider to learn about any programs for mentoring, such as:
PSE Clean Buildings Accelerator program
The Puget Sound Energy Accelerator Program is offered to Puget Sound Energy customers with Tier 1 buildings (50,000+ sf). Register for a session that starts May 29, June 27, or July 17 to be placed in a mentored training cohort that will provide catered compliance support for the nuances of your specific building(s).
Not sure what the Clean Buildings Law is all about?
Review the February 2024 version of the Clean Buildings Performance Standard.
Free training webinars offered by the Department of Commerce Clean Buildings Team:
Clean Buildings Performance Standard: Tier 1 Requirements
- Wednesday, May 29, 11 am – 12 pm, Register
Clean Buildings Performance Standard: Tier 2 Requirements
- Thursday, May 30, 1 – 2 pm, Register
Meeting the EUIt Compliance Path
- Thursday, June 6, 11 am – 12 pm, Register
Investment Criteria Compliance Path
- Thursday, June 20, 11 am – 12 pm, Register
Form F: Life Cycle Cost Analysis Tool
- Thursday, July 11, 11 am – 12 pm, Register
