Via City of Issaquah:
Clean Buildings early adopters can draw from $75M state fund
ISSAQUAH, Wash. – The City of Issaquah’s new Clean Buildings Incentive Program provides Issaquah building owners with no-cost consultant services to improve energy-efficiency. In addition, eligible buildings can apply for state incentive payments to make needed retrofits. As part of the city’s Clean Buildings Incentive Program, Issaquah has partnered with MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions to help building owners learn about the program, apply for state money, reduce energy use, save money, comply with the new Clean Buildings Standard, and support the city in meeting energy and decarbonization reduction targets.
Building owners and property managers can attend a webinar on March 28 at 2pm to learn more, and should register for the city program by July 31, 2023 to begin the benchmarking process with MacDonald-Miller. The funds will be appropriated as eligible companies apply. Register for the webinar here: issaquahwa.gov/CBIPwebinar.
This 2023 pilot program will prioritize support to those buildings that need help in taking the first steps in energy efficiency upgrades and those unable to comply with the state standards on their own. The program may be extended into 2024 if interest exists.
“The City of Issaquah is pleased to partner with MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions in helping our building owners and businesses reduce energy use and access state funding,” said City of Issaquah Mayor Pauly. “This program also helps advance the community’s ambitious targets for the climate action plan in reducing energy use in existing buildings.”
The program also supports building owners who must comply with the state’s new Commercial Clean Buildings Performance Standard, which requires that most buildings larger than 50,000 square feet meet energy efficiency standards beginning in 2026 and reporting requirements for buildings 20,000 square feet and greater.
Washington’s Early Adopter Incentive program offers $75 million in incentives to eligible building owners to assess their energy use, create and implement plans to reduce energy consumption, and to encourage early compliance with the state law.
“Our partnership with the Office of Sustainability and MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions provides Issaquah building owners with support to not only meet state regulations and potentially qualify for grants to implement, but to ultimately create clean buildings that attract businesses and workforce aligned with Issaquah’s values,” said Jen Davis Hayes, Issaquah Economic Development Manager.
“Carbon emissions from energy consumption by buildings are increasing at a rate five times greater than overall emissions in Washington state,” said Perry England, Vice President of Building Performance for MacDonald-Miller. “MacDonald-Miller is excited to be the city’s selected consultant. We anticipate helping over 60 buildings in the first 18 months of the program reduce their energy consumption and carbon emissions by 15% through building upgrades.”
Issaquah Clean Buildings Incentive Program information, including how to apply, is available at: issaquahwa.gov/CleanBuildings
MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions specializes in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. For more than 50 years, MacDonald-Miller has shaped the local landscape with buildings that operate in the most safe and efficient manner possible. As industry leaders, the company tackles the complexities of all industries – from health care and biotech/labs to industrial, commercial office buildings and high-rise residential projects. For more information, go to www.macmiller.com.
CONTACTS: Stacy Vynne McKinstry, City of Issaquah Sustainability Manager, 425-837-3666, stacyvm@issaquahwa.gov; OR Nicole Martin, Brand & Communications Manager, MacDonald-Miller, 206-768-3850, Nicole.martin@macmiller.com