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SEM logo
Washington State participating program · CBPS Tier 2 deadline: July 1, 2027

Tier 2 Is Coming.
There's a Simple
Way Forward.

Tier 2 buildings have a clear path to CBPS compliance: benchmarking, an Operations & Maintenance program, an Energy Management Plan, and reporting to Commerce by July 1, 2027. Student Energy Managers helps eligible building owners complete the required work, and the Early Adopter funds cover the cost of the SEM work provided. Your savings stay with you.

Check My Building's Eligibility See Real Results

What is CBPS?

Washington's Clean Buildings
Performance Standard

View WA Dept of Commerce — Official CBPS Standards

CBPS is a statewide law requiring large commercial buildings to complete energy-management compliance work or face fines. For Tier 2 buildings, the filing deadline is July 1, 2027.

TierDeadlineBuilding SizeFine
Tier 1June 1, 2026220,000+ sq ft$1.50/sq ft + $5,000
Tier 1June 1, 202790,000–220,000 sq ft$1.50/sq ft + $5,000
Tier 1June 1, 202850,000–90,000 sq ft$1.50/sq ft + $5,000
Tier 2July 1, 202720,000–50,000 sq ft$0.30/sq ft flat
1
Qualified Energy Manager
Professional oversight is built into every SEM engagement.
SEM delivers this
2
Energy Tracking & Benchmarking
Monthly utility data and ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager support are handled by SEM.
SEM delivers this
3
Energy Management Plan
Your EMP is built and maintained as part of the compliance package.
SEM delivers this
4
Operations & Maintenance Program
O&M documentation is delivered so the building can move toward compliance on time.
SEM delivers this

How the SEM program works

Turn-Key Compliance.
Zero Out-of-Pocket.

The Student Energy Managers program is professionally supervised and handles the compliance work smaller buildings rarely get real help with. SEM does not take a share of your energy savings. The Early Adopter funds cover the cost of the SEM work provided, and your energy savings stay with you.

01
Energy Savings
SEM buildings can reduce energy use through operational and behavioral management, without starting with capital projects.
02
Compliance Work Delivered
EMP, O&M, and benchmarking are handled so owners are not buried in process and paperwork.
03
Workforce Development
Each project also develops the next generation of energy managers in the community.
$150M
Available — First Come, First Served
WA Dept of Commerce · Tier 2 Early Adopter Incentive
Washington's Tier 2 Early Adopter Incentive Program launched July 1, 2025. $150 million is allocated for eligible Tier 2 buildings. For eligible buildings, these funds can cover the cost of the compliance and energy management work provided by SEM. Funding is first-come, first-served — start now.

Real Buildings

Where the Model
Became Real.

The SEM program launched in Wenatchee, Washington, and the early proof points turned into real numbers every building manager in Washington State needs to see.

Wenatchee Panthers Logo
The Proof Point
Wenatchee High School
Student Energy Managers · Wenatchee, WA · Est. April 2025

Wenatchee High School was built in 1972 and runs on a control system so outdated its date field cannot accept a year beyond 2019. For years, the building's Energy Use Intensity sat in the high 90s with no clear path to improvement.

In April 2025, a SEM team took on the challenge of managing how their own high school uses energy. No capital investment. No new hardware. No energy efficiency measures. Just trained students applying behavioral energy management with professional oversight.

The first 10 months tell the story.

39%
Reduction in electricity use during the first 10 months
$100K+
Projected annual savings at Wenatchee's low electric rate
0
Capital dollars required to begin changing results
Wenatchee High School
Behavioral energy management, led by students, with professional oversight.
What changed?
Students began actively managing building use, identifying waste, building awareness, tracking performance, and keeping the adults engaged in the process.
What did not change?
No retrofits. No new controls. No new equipment. No capital project required to start producing results.
Why it matters:
This is the kind of story Tier 2 building owners need to hear. Real work. Real accountability. Real savings. A path forward that starts now.

Proven Results

Real Buildings. Real Numbers.

CVCH
Columbia Valley Community Health
25%+
Energy
Reduction
$108K
Fine
Avoided
$0
Out of
Pocket
✓No capital investment required
✓CBPS compliant — $108,000 fine avoided
✓SEM workforce development
NCW Libraries
North Central Washington Libraries
13%
Energy
Reduction
$17K
Fine
Avoided
$17K
Incentive
Received
✓No capital investment required
✓CBPS compliant — $17,000 fine avoided
✓Received $17,000 Early Adopter Incentive
NCESD
North Central ESD
36%
Energy
Reduction
$8.6K
Fine
Avoided
$8.6K
Incentive
Received
✓No capital investment required
✓CBPS compliant — $8,600 fine avoided
✓Received $8,600 Early Adopter Incentive
No cost · No commitment · 15 minutes
15 Minutes.
No Pressure.
Join one of our Zoom sessions. We'll show you exactly where your building stands on CBPS compliance, what incentive you qualify for, and what SEM delivers — start to finish. No sales pitch. Just the facts for your building.
ENERGY STAR partner · AEM-certified program
Full EMP + O&M delivered · Early Adopter funds can cover SEM work
Your savings stay with you

For more information: 800-260-7103

Proud Partners

Building a More Sustainable
Wenatchee Valley.
Together.

The SEM program works because of the organizations that believe in its mission. Our partners share a commitment to workforce development, energy efficiency, and building a stronger, more sustainable regional economy in the Wenatchee Valley.

Every building that joins the program, every student trained, and every fine avoided is a result of this community choosing to invest in its own future.

CHELANCOUNTYP.U.D. Chelan County PUD
NCW TECHALLIANCE NCW Tech Alliance
JCPenney JCPenney
WENATCHEESCHOOLDISTRICT Wenatchee School District
NCESDN. Central ESD NCESD
Washington StateDepartment ofCommerce WA Dept of Commerce
CAREER CONNECTWASHINGTON Career Connect WA
NCWLibraries NCW Libraries
NETnew energy technology New Energy Technology