The bill aims to enhance compliance pathways for the clean buildings performance standard in Washington by introducing alternative metrics and extending reporting deadlines. It amends several sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), including RCW 19.27A.170, 19.27A.210, 19.27A.220, and 19.27A.250, while also reenacting and amending RCW 19.27A.140 and 19.27A.200. Key definitions are clarified, such as "conditional compliance," which allows building owners to demonstrate partial compliance through energy management plans and audits. The bill emphasizes reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mandates the Department of Commerce to establish energy performance standards, which must be updated every five years.

Significant provisions include the requirement for building owners to implement energy efficiency measures based on investment-grade energy audits and life-cycle cost analyses, with exemptions for historic buildings. The bill introduces alternative compliance pathways for state campus district energy systems and mandates compliance reporting every five years. It outlines penalties for noncompliance that cannot be passed on to tenants and establishes an early adoption incentive program. Additionally, the department is tasked with creating a database of covered buildings, providing notifications of compliance requirements, and reporting annually to the governor and legislature on the implementation of the energy performance standard. The bill also sets specific requirements for tier 2 covered buildings, including a state energy management and benchmarking requirement by December 1, 2023, and mandates evaluations of energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by July 1, 2029.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 19.27A.170, 19.27A.210, 19.27A.220, 19.27A.250
Substitute Bill: 19.27A.170, 19.27A.210, 19.27A.220, 19.27A.250
Bill as Passed Legislature: 19.27A.170, 19.27A.210, 19.27A.220, 19.27A.250
Session Law: 19.27A.170, 19.27A.210, 19.27A.220, 19.27A.250