WA Passes Nation-Leading Commercial Code

SBCC PASSES STRONGEST COMMERCIAL ENERGY CODE

On Friday, April 22, the State Building Code Council voted 11-3 to pass the strongest climate-friendly commercial and large multifamily energy code in the nation! A huge thank you to all Shift Zero members and allies who participated in the rigorous energy code update process by providing technical expertise, public comment, and raising awareness throughout the state about this critical opportunity to reduce emissions in new buildings. And thank you to the State Building Code Council members and staff who worked countless hours to make these updates!

A number of key efficiency and electrification proposals were adopted, including requiring heat pumps for space and water heating in nearly all new commercial and large multifamily buildings, electric-ready provisions, and increased solar-readiness and use of renewables. The code updates, which are set to take effect in July 2023, will impact all new commercial buildings in Washington including multi-family residences four-stories and taller. See this press release for more information.

Looking ahead, Shift Zero will be coordinating advocacy for the residential energy code update which will be in process through the end of this year. Stay tuned for information on how to engage!

C-PACER PASSES IN PIERCE COUNTY

On March 29, Pierce County became the sixth county in WA to adopt a C-PACER ordinance that will bring low-cost, long-term financing to help commercial buildings become more efficient and resilient. The Pierce County ordinance restricts the use of fossil fuel equipment in any C-PACER project. As of April 2022, Clark, King, Thurston, Snohomish, Whatcom and Pierce counties have adopted C-PACER ordinances and are developing or have established programs.

WHAT WE'RE READING

What are the hurdles to electrifying a home? Contractors and experts weigh in, Canary Media. Read.
Heat Pump Buying Guide from NY Times Wirecutter. Read.
Funding Our Future: Creating a One-Stop Shop for Whole-Home Retrofits, RMI. Read.
Cost Study of the Building Decarbonization Code, NBI. Read.
New Study Finds Ventilation Significantly Reduces Indoor Pollutant Levels and Adds New Evidence for Eliminating Gas Stoves, National Center for Healthy Housing. Read

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Built Green Conference 2022: This year’s Built Green Conference will be on September 15 at South Seattle College, and proposals for presenting, moderating a panel, or facilitating a roundtable are due by May 22. More info.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Washington State Building Code Council hiring Code Specialist. More info.
NWEC Hiring Development Director. More info.
WSHFC Hiring Senior Sustainable Energy Analyst. More info.
Stand.earth Hiring Senior Organizer More info.

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 27: Washington State Energy Code Training, hosted by the Northwest EcoBuilding Guild. Register.
May 2-13: Living Future 22 Conference. Register.
May 4: Momentum in 2022: Embarking on a New Era of Climate Leadership, Climate Solutions event featuring Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Donnel Baird from BlocPower, and Patience Malaba, Housing Development Consortium. Register.
May 8-14: Affordable Housing Week, organized by Housing Development Consortium. More info.
May 14: 2022 Northwest Green Home Tour, Hybrid - In-Person and Virtual Sites. More info.
May 15: Benefit for Green Buildings Now, supporting community leaders who are creating a fossil fuel free Resilience Hub in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Seattle. Register.
June & July: NW Energy Coalition’s Decarbonizing the Northwest webinar series. Register.
August 22-24, Smart Buildings Exchange Conference, virtual and in-person. Register.