Comments due by July 7
Today, the Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) released the draft Buildings Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS) Director’s Rule. Per Seattle Municipal Code (SMC), a Director’s Rule is the required next step to clarify topics such as required documentation, processes for compliance and reporting, and other key elements flagged for rulemaking in the BEPS law, SMC 22.925 — Building Emissions Performance Standard.
This draft rule covers nearly all rules needed for compliance with BEPS, which starts with the largest buildings reporting by Oct. 1, 2027. For a quick refresher on the BEPS law, watch this 12-minute recording on the basics of BEPS.
OSE is hosting a three-week public comment period today through July 7 at 5 p.m. PT to solicit input on the draft Director’s Rule.
When commenting, please include the page number(s) and the section(s) you are commenting on. You can submit your comment in the following ways:
- Using OSE’s online form (preferred)
- Emailing [email protected] (please include “BEPS Public Comment” in the subject line)
- Writing to the Director, Seattle Office of Sustainability & Environment, PO Box 94729, Seattle, WA 98124, postmarked no later than July 7, 2025
Additional required rulemaking to cover limited topics such as updating emissions factors for 2031–2035 and other elements noted in this draft Rule and specified in SMC 22.925 will take place by Dec. 31, 2027, and at later dates as specified in SMC 22.925.
SUBMIT A RULE COMMENT
About the Rulemaking Process: The Rule is the product of more than a year of public engagement, building off the more than two years of engagement with stakeholders that preceded the BEPS law itself. To develop the Rule, OSE has:
- Convened a Technical Rulemaking Workgroup with subject matter experts from multiple sectors to weigh in on options to inform the draft.
- Facilitated topic-specific focus groups (e.g., affordable housing, decarbonization plans, hospitals and labs, commercial real estate, and more).
- Hosted two public webinars for feedback on key elements of the draft rule.
To learn more about BEPS and the draft Director’s Rule, visit the BEPS website.