Operations and Maintenance (O&M) requirements for Tier 1 and Tier 2 buildings





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September 11, 2026











Clean Buildings Bulletin

Program news
warehouse
Are warehouses exempt from the CBPS?

Exemption applications for warehouse buildings frequently use the manufacturing/industrial building exemption. However, warehouse buildings aren't eligible for the manufacturing or industrial exemption. The standard includes both refrigerated and nonrefrigerated warehouses as covered building activity types that must comply with the standard. Warehouses may be exempt under the unconditioned and semi-heated space category. Please refer to the following this guidance document about Tier 1 building exemptions for conditioned space less than 50,000 square feet [ [link removed] ] for more information.

To qualify for the manufacturing/industrial exemption, a building must be used for manufacturing or industrial purposes, as defined in the Washington state edition of the International Building Code (IBC) [ [link removed] ]. Factory Group F and High Hazard Group H, as outlined in the IBC, define what building activity types are considered manufacturing and industrial. Please also note that zoning information is not sufficient to demonstrate building eligibility. for example, buildings located in a light industrial zone are not automatically considered manufacturing or industrial in nature.

When you apply for the manufacturing/industrial building exemption, your supporting documents must clearly demonstrate that the building is used for qualifying exemptions. Applications lacking clear evidence or sufficient documentation may not be approved.

For additional details about the manufacturing/industrial building exemption, refer to this guidance document about Tier 1 building exemptions [ [link removed] ] for manufacturing or other industrial purposes.

Visit the Clean Buildings webpage [ [link removed] ] for more information or contact the Clean Buildings Team by submitting a Customer Support Form [ [link removed] ].

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Grants and Incentive Program Updates

Commerce awards more than $29 million for Clean Buildings Performance Standard compliance projects statewide
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Commerce recently announced a $29.6 million investment to help building owners renovate 464 facilities in 12 counties and meet the Clean Buildings Performance Standard [ [link removed] ]. Commerce made a total of 144 awards from four Commerce Clean Buildings grant programs: Energy Retrofits for Public Buildings [ [link removed] ], Energy Audits for Public Buildings [ [link removed] ], Clean Buildings Performance Grants [ [link removed] ], and State Project Improvements [ [link removed] ]. This funding will help increase energy efficiency in public buildings, lower energy costs, reduce pollution and create jobs in communities.

Chimacum School District proudly received of a portion of the $6.1 million awarded for Clean Buildings Performance Grants. Kelly Liske, executive director of business and finance for Chimacum School District, explained how the funds will be used: "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."

You're invited to read the full announcement and see all the awarded recipients. For questions related to the Early Adopter Incentive program or any of the funding opportunities to support CBPS compliance, please contact the Clean Buildings Incentive Program <[email protected]>.

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Support and resources

The Smart Building Center’s Tool Lending Library

In August, five Clean Buildings Fellows and project partners conducted in-person site visits, walking through mechanical rooms, exploring rooftop units, and learning how to use diagnostic tools. During site visits, Rebecca and Melissa from the Smart Buildings Center brought their Tool Lending Library [ [link removed] ] toolkits and demonstrated how to use these diagnostic tools.

Fellows learned how to use infrared and contact thermometers to validate system performance and ensure occupant comfort. In situations where fellows may need to verify square footage, Rebecca and Melissa showcased the laser distance meter. All Clean Buildings Fellows now have access to the toolkits so they can use tools to best support their host sites and building owners in their service territories.

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Rebecca and Melissa from the Smart Buildings Center's toolkit demonstration

To learn how you can use available tools, check out the Smart Building Center’s Tool Lending Library. Through this library, building owners, managers and other energy service professionals can borrow diagnostic tools [ [link removed] ] ranging from data loggers to power meters to infrared thermometers. If you're interested in borrowing tools for your building, visit the Tool Lending Library website [ [link removed] ].

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CBPS Webinar Series: Upcoming webinars

*Clean Buildings 101*
September 16, 2026, 10-11.a.m.
Register for Clean Buildings 101 [ [link removed] ]

*CBPS Webinar: Investment Criteria Compliance Pathway*
October 7, 2026 ,10-11 a.m.
Register for Investment Criteria CBPS Webinar [ [link removed] ]

*CBPS Webinar: Support and Resources*
October 28, 2026 ,10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Register for Support and Resources CBPS Webinar [ [link removed] ]

Smart Buildings Exchange in Seattle

Join the Clean Buildings team and thousands of others for the 2026 in Seattle on November 9-10, 2026. SBX 2026 brings together building owners, operators, engineers, technology providers, utilities, policymakers and energy professionals for two days of high-impact discussion, debate and collaboration to address one critical question: What will it take to move smart buildings from promising projects to genuine, repeatable scale?
Register for SBX [ [link removed] ]

QEM Training available in person and on demand

The Qualified Energy Management (QEM) course is designed to equip building professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to comply with the Tier 2 requirements of Washington state’s Clean Buildings Performance Standard (CBPS).


* *On-demand training:* Register at the QEM Training website [ [link removed] ]
* *In-person training:* Register for the Sept. 30 training in Seattle [ [link removed] ] from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
* Address: The Smart Buildings Center, Pacific Tower, 1200 12th Ave S Unit 110, Seattle, WA 98144

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No-cost technical support

* Clean Buildings Trainings - Smart Buildings Center [ [link removed] ]
* Statewide Clean Buildings helpdesk offered by the Smart Building Center [ [link removed] ]
* Clean Building Team office hours [ [link removed] ]

For questions or to request support on the Clean Buildings Performance Standard, Early Adopter Incentives Program or the Clean Buildings Portal, contact us using the Customer Support Form [ [link removed] ].

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*Public Records Notice*: Meeting registration information, such as name and email address, is a public record and may be subject to disclosure, pursuant to Chapter 42.56 RCW: PUBLIC RECORDS ACT [ [link removed] ].






Contact

For questions and support from the Clean Buildings team, complete the customer support form [ [link removed] ] or contact us via email <[email protected]>.











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