SCALE 2030

• Launch a Washington Clean Buildings Market Transformation Hub as a unit within Commerce’s Energy Division to develop a Washington-specific Clean Buildings Market Transformation Action Plan and coordinate market transformation efforts with entities like NEEA and Washington Builds.
• The focus of the MT Hub and Action Plan is to achieve state energy goals and increase the scale/pace of the transition by accelerating market development for technologies that are part of key retrofit packages in residential and commercial buildings, like residential heat pumps, onsite solar and battery storage, demand response, commercial heat pump rooftop units, high-efficiency ventilation  (such as dedicated outdoor air systems), and modern controls.
• The MT Hub can determine what market transformation initiatives are needed in Washington, account for and leverage the powerful work already being done by NEEA, and then fill remaining gaps directly—such as leading bulk purchasing of key technologies—or by partnering with NEEA and others. For example, the MT Hub could provide funding to NEEA to apply the Commercial Whole Building Project model to other segments. It could also pursue additional partnerships with Washington Builds, utilities, local governments, labor organizations, and others to complement NEEA’s upstream work.

By determining essential initiatives, growing existing partnerships, and developing new market transformation capacity within the state, a state-hosted MT Hub can leverage and expand ongoing market transformation work to maximize the advancement of Washington’s policy goals.  Market transformation for technologies that are part of key retrofit packages is an essential strategy to support building owners, tenants, and operators in completing mandated or voluntary building upgrades that reduce emissions, improve efficiency and health outcomes, and turn buildings into a grid resource.

Include equity goals in the Clean Buildings Market Transformation Action Plan, engage community organizations and Tribes in designing initiatives, and coordinate with weatherization and affordable housing programs to ensure that retrofit packages can reach low-income and rural households. Market transformation must be focused on accelerated access and adoption for buildings that currently have the most limited access to clean buildings upgrades.  

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2027:

• The State Legislature approves funding for a new unit at Commerce to start as the MT Hub

2028:

• MT Hub collaborates with NEEA to complete a Clean Buildings Market Transformation Action Plan with top priorities for Washington’s market transformation efforts

2029:

• MT Hub acts as the central coordinator for state-led market transformation efforts, including working with NEEA, utilities, contractors, and Washington Builds to carry out market transformation initiatives