Roadmap
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Lever:
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Action:

Dedicate Consistent Climate Commitment Act Funds for Clean Buildings

Action Description

  • Direct a defined percentage allocation of Climate Commitment Act (CCA) revenue to cleanbuildings. For example, clean buildings could receive a defined portion of CCA revenue to a dedicated account that is codified in statute, the same way that clean transportation receives funding codified in statute.
  • Appropriate the dedicated clean buildings funding to the Department of Commerce’s Energy Programs in Communities (EPIC) fund for distribution to grants, programs, Washington Builds, and the new Market Transformation Hub.

Why It Matters

Washington’s transition to highly efficient, zero-emission buildings requires predictable and durable funding. Current reliance on competitive biennial appropriations creates uncertainty that slows planning and limits scaling of programs and initiatives. Dedicating a consistent share of CCA revenue to clean buildings via EPIC ensures long-term funding stability, allowing the Department of Commerce to better coordinate investments across programs and prioritize structural, market-shaping efforts rather than just one-off grants.

Centering Equity

State funding must ensure that Washington’s most impacted communities are the first to benefit from the clean buildings transition. EPIC should commit a defined share of resources to overburdened communities and vulnerable populations in accordance with the Healthy Environments for All (HEAL) Act; integrate energy burden reduction, indoor air quality improvements, and health and safety outcomes into its offerings; fund community organizations to conduct outreach and technical support; and support workforce development pathways that ensure the clean buildings sector creates quality jobs.

Key Steps & Timing

2027:

  • The Washington State Legislature specifies a permanent portion of CCA revenue for clean buildings.

2027 and beyond:

  • CCA funds dedicated to clean building are appropriated to the Department of Commerce’s EPICfund as the primary statewide funding vehicle for all clean buildings-related programs and initiatives, with distribution including:

Building Tiers

Tier 1
Commercial Buildings > 50k sq. ft.
Tier 2
Commercial Buildings > 20k sq. ft. and ≤ 50k sq. ft. –– Multifamily Buildings > 20k sq. ft.
Proposed Tier 3
Commercial Buildings ≤ 20k sq. ft. –– Multifamily Buildings ≤ 20k sq. ft. –– Single-family Homes ≤ 20k sq. ft.
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