Roadmap Timeline

The Washington State Legislature directs the Department of Ecology to develop building sector goals and milestones with the Department of Commerce and public input.

The Department of Commerce leads implementation strategies to achieve building sector goals, including aligning codes, standards, market transformation, and financing.

The Department of Ecology publishes annual progress tracking and may contract a third party to conduct analysis and maintain a public dashboard.

The Department of Commerce performs technical analysis to inform development of final and milestone Energy Use Intensity (EUI) targets. Commerce completes rulemaking and adopts 2050 performance standards with all interim milestones.

The Department of Commerce develops a platform and standardized label to share benchmarking data from CBPS.

The Washington State Legislature adopts statewide energy disclosure requirements at time of sale. The Department of Commerce completes rulemaking and launches outreach and training with local jurisdictions.

Disclosure begins for covered buildings at time of sale, and the Department of Commerce develops a statewide database to publicly share scores.

The statewide database is fully operational. Outreach and training continue.

A formal buildings Tier 3 that includes time-of-sale upgrade requirements is established.

The Washington State Legislature directs development of a statewide zero‑emission heating equipment standard OR the Department of Ecology initiates rulemaking, and other agencies begin scoping the standard.

Rulemaking and scoping continue.

A proposed standard is released for public comment and engagement.

A final statewide standard is adopted, compliance guidelines are issued, and the Departments of Commerce and Ecology develop training and early‑adoption incentives before compliance begins.

The State Building Code Council (SBCC) begins development of the 2027 energy code, increasing incremental efficiency for residential and commercial buildings as a step toward future performance goals.

SBCC finalizes and adopts the 2027 energy code. The Department of Commerce, utilities, and the Washington State University Extension develop market adaptation support for builders, contractors, and distributors.

SBCC begins scoping the 2030 energy code and adopts it in 2032, integrating Net-Zero Energy Ready Home requirements for new construction.

A workgroup identifies and considers ideas for establishing a new framework that would use planning requirements to advance Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and grid utilization.

The Washington State Legislature approves updates or new framework.

The Department of Commerce and the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) complete rulemaking and utilities begin planning under updated requirements.

Utilities implement planning, programs, and resource acquisition with increased focus on demand-side resources and grid utilization.

Utilities submit relevant tracking data to the UTC and the Department of Commerce and set subsequent targets.

The Utility and Transportation Commission (UTC) reopens and completes the Performance-Based Regulation (PBR) docket.

The UTC finalizes performance incentive mechanisms that advance clean buildings goals. Investor Owned Utilities (IOUs) file implementation plans.

The UTC adjusts Performance Incentive Mechanisms (PIMs) metrics, penalties, and rewards as needed.

PBR evolves to incorporate new technology capabilities and opportunities.

The Washington State Legislature directs the Department of Commerce and the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) to establish a Distributed Energy Resource (DER) value framework and initiate rulemaking on interconnection and data sharing standards.

The Department of Commerce and the UTC publish the DER valuation methodology, framework, and completed rules.

Utilities begin publishing hosting capacity maps, providing interval load data access to customers and aggregators, and implementing new interconnection processes for DERs.

The Department of Commerce and the UTC periodically update the DER valuation rules. DERs are better valued and incorporated into resource adequacy, Intergrated Resource Plans (IRPs), and a potential distributed capacity procurement target.

The Washington State Legislature approves funding for a new unit at the Department of Commerce to be the Market Transformation Hub, starting with one position and an implementation budget, with the potential to expand in 2028 and beyond.

The Market Transformation Hub collaborates with the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), Washington Builds, local governments, and others to identify top priorities for Washington’s market transformation efforts and develop market transformation initiatives.

The Market Transformation Hub acts as the central coordinator for state-led market transformation efforts, including working with entities like NEEA, utilities, contractors, and Washington Builds.

Pending successful outcomes, the Market Transformation Hub continues to operate and expand.

The Market Transformation Hub allocates funding to expand codes and standard work, and the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) and technical contractors begin Washington-specific code development and support activities.

The Market Transformation Hub publishes Washington-specific compliance resources, provides building and inspector training, and launches market adaptation initiatives ahead of upcoming code cycles.

Maintain ongoing technical support for code development, update resources as codes evolve, and coordinate compliance and adaptation efforts.

The Washington State Legislature re-instates and expands funding for workforce readiness initiatives aligned with state clean buildings planning, in coordination with the Clean Energy Technology Workforce Advisory Committee (CETWAC) and the Department of Labor & Industries.

Maintain workforce partnerships, update training as technologies evolve, and coordinate with utilities, unions, community colleges, and industry groups.

The Washington State Legislature continues to allocate funding for workforce readiness initiatives.

The Washington State Legislature enacts a statewide requirement for utilities to launch Inclusive Utility Investment (IUI) programs or partner with qualified implementers. The Department of Commerce and the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) issue guidance on program design and requirements.

Utilities determine eligible measures, customer eligibility, and strategies to engage contractors and customers.

Utilities deploy IUI programs statewide. The Department of Commerce and the UTC monitor performance, adjust requirements as needed, and gather and share best practices.

Washington Builds launches its first programs and develops an initial project pipeline that spans residential, commercial, and public buildings.

Programs succeed in meeting the requirements set by the Washington State Legislature, and the second tranche of $25 million is released to Washington Builds.

Washington Builds continues to receive increasing capitalization, scales financing products statewide, and supports clean buildings retrofits across all building segments.

The Department of Commerce and Washington Builds design a one-stop upgrade platform structure, working with utilities and program administrators to agree on data-sharing and rebate reimbursement procedures.

Development of the platform begins and results in a resource that compiles information for consumers, contractor onboarding tools, an engine to match incentives, and integrated financing applications. A pilot is launched.

Statewide rollout begins, with ongoing updates to the incentive database and financing options.

Washington Builds continues to make updates based on feedback and enable easier bids for contractors and project financing for home and business owners.

The Washington State Legislature dedicates a permanent portion of Climate Commitment Act (CCA) revenue to clean buildings. Dedicated funding is appropriated to an expanded Energy Programs in Communities (EPIC) fund that supports existing programs, a new Market Transformation Hub, and continued expansion of Washington Builds.

The Department of Commerce distributes allocated EPIC funds to implementation partners and coordinates investments across agencies, utilities, community organizations, and workforce development partners to accelerate program delivery and market transformation.

The Washington State Legislature approves a five-year utility bill charge and dedicates the revenue to Energy Programs in Communities (EPIC) to be managed by the Department of Commerce for distribution to Washington Builds, clean buildings market transformation, grant programs, and a dashboard to track the clean building transition against state building sector goals.

Collected funds are deposited to the Department of Commerce and revenue is distributed.

Funding continues, with renewal decided by the Washington State Legislature every five years.