Washington Clean Buildings How to Get Zero Cost Compliance With The Early Adopter Program
Washington’s Clean Buildings Tier 1 Early Adopter Incentive is offering a one-time payment of up to $2.00 Sq/Ft. The catch? It’s only for building owners who act proactively.
This article will explain what the early adopter incentive for Tier 1 buildings is, who it applies to, and what you can do to fully erase your compliance costs.
What Is the Tier 1 Early Adopter Incentive?
The Tier 1 Early Adopter Incentive rewards Tier 1 building owners who meet or exceed energy performance targets ahead of mandatory deadlines.
Under RCW 19.27A.220, eligible building owners who demonstrate early compliance by meeting the energy use intensity target (EUIt) can receive up to $2.00 Sq/Ft of gross floor area (excluding unconditioned or parking spaces).
That base rate is just the start. There’s even more incentive available for early action.
How the Incentive Has Grown And What It Can Mean for You
Property owners who jump in early can capture even more value.
The incentive value has increased, thanks to recent legislative updates.
As of a September 2024 update, thanks to House Bill 1976, the enhanced rate now stands at $2.00 per sq ft, plus $0.05 per kBTU saved beyond the minimum 15 kBTU/sq ft/year reduction.
But this opportunity won’t last forever and only qualified buildings are eligible.
Who Qualifies And Why You Need To Act Now
Not every building is eligible, and funds are limited.
Eligibility hinges on building characteristics and performance metrics.
Buildings must be Tier 1 covered and they must exceed their EUIt by at least 15 kBTU/sq ft/year. They must also be served by a participating utility RDH Building Science+15Washington State Department of Commerce+15GovDelivery+15.
The incentive pool is capped at $75 million, and funding is distributed first-come, first-served, with a waitlist for overflow.
With eligibility established, the next step is understanding how to apply and navigate the portal.
Your Application Path Through The Clean Buildings Portal
The process is complex.
Applying requires navigating the State’s portal with the right documentation filled out correctly..
wners must access the Clean Buildings Portal via a Secure Access Washington (SAW) account and a unique code provided in a notification letter. Through the portal, you will manage your building profile and submit the Early Adopter Incentive application, including required forms and documentation.
But starting the portal process is just the beginning. You’ll also need to benchmark, audit, and comply.
What’s Required to Earn the Early Adopter Incentive
The paperwork is tied to measurable performance.
Compliance is about demonstrating real energy improvements.
The building must benchmark its energy use, complete an ASHRAE Level 2 audit (or guarantee compliance), and submit forms that document its EUIt, energy use intensity improvements, and improvement plan (Form A, B, C, and Exhibit B).
Once the Department of Commerce verifies compliance, utilities are notified to deliver the incentive payment proportional to energy use by fuel type.
Now that the requirements are clear, here’s how to get started effectively.
Your 5-Step Sprint To Securing Up to $2.00 (or More) Per Square Foot
🚀 Follow this concise roadmap to maximize your incentive:
🟢 Step 1: Verify Eligibility:
Confirm your building is over 50,000 sq ft, served by a participating utility, and performing 15 kBTU above EUIt.
🟢 Step 2: Access The Clean Buildings Portal:
Use your SAW account and unique code to set up your building profile.
🟢 Step 3: Benchmark And Audit:
Complete energy profiling, ASHRAE Level 2 audit or equivalent, and compile required forms (A, B, C, Exhibit B).
🟢 Step 4: Submit Your Application Early:
Funds are limited, so apply promptly to avoid missing the $75 million pool.
🟢 Step 5: Wait For verification and receive payment:
Once approved, your utility delivers the payment.
Acting Early Pays Off. Here’s Why
If you take advantage of the early adopter fund you can get up to $2.00/sq ft plus kBTU incentives. That’s up to $2.00 Sq/Ft on offer.
The only risk? The fund runs out. If you wait too long your chance may disappear behind a funded queue.
Early compliance puts you ahead of the 2026+ deadlines for Tier 1 buildings (e.g., 220,000 sq ft – June 1, 2026; smaller cohorts later).
Final Thought: Seize the Incentive While You Still Can
Washington is rolling out powerful financial support for building owners who step up early. Acting now could net your building up to $2.00 Sq/Ft or even more, offsetting retrofit costs while paving the way to compliance. Don’t let this strategic opportunity slip by.
Our advice? Don’t do this yourself. Partner with experts who have navigated this for dozens of clients who have secured millions in funding already. See how much you can get from the CBPS fund and,
Secure your energy rebate with help from Clean Buildings compliance experts ⬇️
