Energy Audit Incentive for Public Buildings Program

The Energy Audit Incentive for Public Buildings Program offers $20 million to assist publicly owned buildings with the cost of energy audits that are required to participate Clean Buildings Performance Standard (CBPS) and the Early Adopter Incentive Program. Energy audits are used to identify energy efficiency measures required to meet the CBPS. Energy audits can be expensive and many buildings struggle to find the funds to pay for them.

Depending on your compliance pathway with the Clean Buildings Performance Standard, you may be required to complete an energy audit on your building. Additionally, completing an energy audit is required to receive early adopter incentive funding for Tier 1 buildings. This program will help support the competition of these critical energy audits.

Incentives for audits

Apply now for audit incentives! There is $20 million available in this program. Energy audits are used to identify cost-effective energy efficiency improvement measures. The audit can be used to help you save energy, comply with the Clean Buildings Performance Standard, or qualify for the Early Adopter Incentive Program. Here are some basic requirements to apply:

• The building must be a Tier 1 building or multifamily building over 50,000 sq.ft.
• The building must be publicly owned. Public buildings are buildings owned by State Agencies, School and Health Districts, Colleges and Cities, Municipalities and Counties.
• The audit must meet the requirements of the CBPS for that building’s compliance path
• The audit must be completed by an auditor on the Verified Energy Auditor Network List (Smartsheet).
• All applications are due by April 30th, 2025.

Is my building eligible?

The primary eligible applicant must be a publicly owned building. For example, publicly owned buildings are buildings owned by state agencies, public school and health districts, public colleges, cities, municipalities and counties. Privately owned buildings like private colleges and private hospitals are not eligible to apply.

How much funding is available?

• $20 million: Funding is calculated at a base payment $0.50 per square foot of gross floor area of the building, excluding parking areas. Some buildings maybe eligible for enhanced incentive payments.
• Note: Incentive payments are only available until funds are exhausted. To review current funding availability, review the program dashboard.

How do I apply?

1. Review the Request for Application (RFA) (PDF).
2. Apply by filling out the Clean Buildings Audit Incentive Program Application (on Smartsheet) form.
3. Attach the following application documents in the Smartsheet form:
   • Certifications and Assurances (Exhibit A)
   • Applicant Information (Exhibit B)
   • Diverse Business Inclusion Plan (Exhibit C)
   • Workers’ Rights Certification (Exhibit D)
4. For assistance email CleanBuildingsIncentiveProgram@Commerce.wa.gov 

Frequently asked questions

Verified Energy Auditor Network List

Commerce is building a verified list of qualified energy auditors who want to be part of our Verified Energy Auditor Network List who will perform the audits in accordance with the provisions of this program and the Clean Building Performance Standard.  

What qualifications are required to be on the list?

A person acting as the auditor of record, having training, expertise, and three years professional experience in building energy auditing, and any one of the following:

• A licensed professional architect or engineer
• A Building Energy Assessment Professional (BEAP) certified by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
• A Certified Energy Auditor (CEA) certified by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE)
• A certified energy manager (CEM) in current standing, certified by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE)
• An energy management professional (EMP) certified by the Energy Management Association (EMA)

How do I apply to be on the list?

If you are already on the DES Energy Service Companies (ESCO) list, then you are considered approved by Commerce.

Otherwise, submit applications to Commerce for review and we will add you to the Commerce approved list.

1. Review the Request for Qualifications and Quotes (RFQQ) (PDF).
2. Apply by filling out this Verified Energy Auditor Network Application (Smartsheet).
3. Attach the following documents in the Smartsheet form:

• Certifications and Assurances (Exhibit A)
• Letter of Submittal
• Qualifications, Supporting documents
• Diverse Business Inclusion Plan (Exhibit B)
• Workers’ Rights Certification (Exhibit C)