Commerce awards more than $29 million for Clean Buildings Performance Standard compliance projects statewide

Funding will increase energy efficiency in public buildings, lower energy costs, reduce pollution and create jobs in communities

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced a $29.6 million investment to help building owners renovate 464 facilities in 30 counties and meet the Clean Buildings Performance Standard. Commerce made a total of 144 awards from four Commerce Clean Buildings grant programs: Energy Retrofits for Public Buildings, Energy Audits for Public Buildings, Clean Buildings Performance Grants, and State Project Improvements.

View the complete list of awarded projects

“These awards demonstrate Washington’s commitment to reducing pollution from buildings, the state’s second largest source of emissions,” said Commerce Interim Director Sarah Clifthorne. “By investing in cleaner, more energy-efficient buildings, we’re advancing our state energy strategy while improving air quality to provide a healthier future for all communities.”

Energy Efficiency Retrofits for Public Buildings

Commerce awarded $10.6 million to 20 projects in 11 counties to fund energy-saving capital improvements in public buildings.

The Energy Retrofits for Public Buildings program provides competitive grants for energy-efficiency improvements at schools, hospitals, community centers, wastewater treatment plants and other public facilities. These investments lower energy and operating costs, reduce pollution and support jobs in communities across Washington. The awarded projects will also help recipients meet the state’s Clean Buildings Performance Standard.

“This grant will enable Yelm Community Schools to modernize lighting at Yelm High School, creating brighter, safer, and more comfortable learning environments while reducing energy consumption and long-term operating costs,” said Teri Melone, Yelm Community Schools director of operations and Career and Technical Education. “During our financial challenges, we can focus our funding on student programs and staffing essential to student learning.”

By reducing ongoing energy costs, these projects allow public agencies to dedicate more of their resources to essential services their communities need.

Energy Audits for Public Buildings

Commerce also awarded $8.4 million for energy audits at 163 buildings in 23 counties. The audits will help public building owners identify opportunities to reduce energy use, lower operating costs and meet the state’s Clean Buildings Performance Standard.

“We are incredibly grateful to have secured these funds for the Puyallup School District,” said Brady Martin, executive director of Construction, Maintenance and Facility Planning, Puyallup School District. “They will play a pivotal role in helping us meet state standards while enhancing our facilities to create better learning environments for students, ensuring their success now and in the future.”

Clean Buildings Performance Grants

Commerce awarded $6.1 million to 55 projects in 27 counties to help public and private Tier 1 building owners meet the Clean Buildings Performance Standard. Funding will help owners benchmark building energy use and develop required Energy Management Plans and Operations and Maintenance Plans.

The 2026 grants will benefit 261 buildings, including those in 32 public school districts, three medical complexes and two higher education institutions.

“Chimacum School District is proud to partner with the Washington State Department of Commerce to advance its energy performance and create a sustainable, long-term path toward Clean Buildings Performance Standard compliance,” said Kelly Liske, executive director of business and finance, Chimacum School District. “Through this project, the district will implement ongoing ENERGY STAR® benchmarking, develop and maintain an Energy Management Plan, establish a formal Operations and Maintenance program, provide staff training, and complete all required documentation for compliance.”

State Project Improvements

Commerce awarded $4.5 million to eight projects in seven counties, supporting energy-efficiency improvements at 15 state-owned buildings. The grants build on previously funded capital projects by expanding their scope to achieve greater energy and environmental benefits.

State Project Improvement grants help state agencies incorporate higher-efficiency options into planned building projects. Funding covers the additional cost of improvements such as high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, lighting and windows.

“This funding will allow the college to upgrade our building controls in one of our oldest and largest classroom buildings,” said Jeff Morrow, Yakima Valley Community College director of Facility Operations. “This will also aid in the process of meeting and maintaining the Washington State Clean Building Compliance requirements for our campus.”

Together, these investments will help building owners across Washington reduce energy use and operating costs, improve building performance and make progress toward meeting the state’s clean energy goals.

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