Energy Efficiency Newsroom

Check this webpage regularly for regional and national news and information about building energy efficiency, energy code updates and development, and equipment efficiency standards.

Latest News

2021 WASHINGTON STATE ENERGY CODES

Effective date of the 2021 WSEC has been delayed until March 15th, 2024 

The Council is modifying sections in the commercial and residential energy codes to address legal uncertainty stemming from the decision in California Restaurant Association v. City of Berkeley recently issued by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

CLICK HERE to go to the Washington State Building Code Council website for the latest news.

UPDATED - September 18th, 2023

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2021 WSEC COMMERCIAL TRAININGS

We offer virtual trainings for the convenience of the construction industry professionals we serve. Training topics focus on the provisions that have been determined to offer the highest potential for energy savings.

In considerations of the code adoption delay by the SBCC, we will continue to offer webinars in the Summer and Fall of 2023 that cover changes between the 2018 and 2021 WSEC-C that are not likely to be affected by on-going code development activities.  

Refer to the Education and Resources webpage for information about training schedule and how to register.

UPDATED - August 9th, 2023

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WSEC COMMERCIAL COMPLIANCE DOCUMENTATION WEBTOOL 

This online resource captures many details from the WSEC for envelope, mechanical and lighting systems. Many jurisdictions require this documentation for a project permit submittal. 

READY TO GET STARTED WITH THE WEBTOOL? Create an account and then select My Projects to set up a new project and explore all the helpful features.

UPDATED - January 10th, 2023

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CLEAN ENERGY TRANSFORMATION ACT (CETA) 

CETA (SB 5116) was implemented in May 2019. It commits Washington to an eletricity supply free of greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.

"CETA is a complex law requiring transformation of an essential service, electricity, and many agencies and stakeholders will work together to achieve its objectives. Commerce will work closely with the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC), which regulates the rates and service of investor-owned utilities. Other state agency partners include the state auditor and the departments of Ecology and Health.

More than 60 electric utilities must comply with CETA. Interested stakeholders represent business customers, low-income and vulnerable communities, consumers, environmental advocates and renewable energy developers." WA State Energy Office - WA Dept of Commerce

Click here for more information about CETA.

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WSEC COMMERCIAL TECHNICAL SUPPORT - ETC

Evergreen Technology Consulting (ETC) provides commercial energy code technical support services for WA State. We provide classroom and online training, technical topic resources, on-line compliance documentation tools and on-call technical support. 

Refer to the Ask A Question page to reach our commercial energy code experts.