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Seattle BEPS Program Updates – July 2024

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The Seattle Office of Sustainability & Environment has provided helpful new information regarding the BEPS policy that passed last year. Read on for helpful tips about what the BEP Standard is, how it may effect your buildings, and how you can get ahead of the curve and be ready to comply with this new policy! Their blog was filled with helpful info, you can find more at Seattle.gov

Since the passage of Seattle Building Emission Performance Standard (BEPS) in December, OSE staff have been preparing for the next phase of policy implementation – rulemaking, program design and reporting tool evaluation. OSE is kicking off rulemaking this month while we concurrently revamp the Accelerator coaching program to better support BEPS and WA Clean Buildings (CBPS) compliance.

BEPS Rulemaking

Stakeholder Engagement

The BEPS policy includes many flexible options for compliance and OSE values opportunities for stakeholder participation to help the City further shape and clarify these options. To facilitate this OSE will enable:

  • A facilitated 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, private building portfolios, and others TBD).*
  • Public webinars for feedback on key elements of the draft rule.
  • Continuous opportunities to share written comments.
  • A three-week formal public comment period after the draft rule is released.

Timeline

  • This month we are kicking off the workgroup and will convene focused topical meetings starting in the fall. Summaries of and slides from these meetings will be posted on the new BEPS Rulemaking webpage.
  • Public webinars summarizing the input and key draft rules will follow later this year and into early 2025. (Dates TBD)
  • A draft rule for public comment will follow by mid-2025.
  • Visit the website for a detailed timeline that will be updated periodically.

* Please contact us at [email protected] if you have a technical expertise and a strong interest in participating.

Accelerator Coaching Program is Getting a Makeover

OSE is gathering input from stakeholders to help reshape the Seattle Clean Building Accelerator’s coaching cohort approach. To date, six cohorts of building owners and operators, representing more than 40 entities, have completed four-month “sprints” of monthly workshops and one-on-one coaching calls and virtual site visits to help them understand and comply with the State of Washington’s Clean Building Standard (CBPS). As CBPS Tier 2 buildings (smaller commercial and multifamily) begin to prepare for upcoming compliance dates and as the City prepares to embark on rulemaking for its BEPS, OSE is revamping the Accelerator to ensure it meets the needs of under-resourced owners of the buildings subject to these new rules. New cohorts are currently paused while the program redesign is underway, but building owners and operators can access the self-led, online content of the Accelerator at any time here. Stay informed about the revamped Accelerator by signing up for updates here.