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Energy Benchmarking is required for the Clean Buildings Performance Standard, as well as for Seattle’s Energy Benchmarking law and Seattle’s proposed BEPS, but each law has a different benchmarking focus and different requirements. Many Seattle area buildings have already completed Seattle’s Energy Benchmarking using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager but likely need to rebenchmark for Clean Buildings. In addition, many utilities, including Puget Sound Energy, are migrating customers’ usage data to more robust platforms in preparation for CBPS. During this process many previously established Portfolio Manager data links have been interrupted. Sershon Systems can provide a Portfolio Manager profile review to check these connections and provide data verification.

Whether you’re benchmarking in Portfolio Manager for the first time or are updating your Seattle Energy Benchmarking profile for CBPS and/or BEPS, Sershon Systems offers Energy Benchmarking services based on your needs and prepares you for all applicable legislation. This may include: calculating energy use intensity, greenhouse gas intensity and/or an ENERGY STAR score; calculating your building’s specific target under each law; creating a compliant ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager profile including setting up automatic utility reporting; providing utility data verification; sharing the profile with the Department of Commerce and/or City of Seattle; and providing guidance on submitting CBPS Form C.

Benchmarking as soon as possible provides the longest runway for planning to meet your target. Getting started early also means more access to limited incentive funds and rebates.

Knowing the gap between your energy use intensity (EUI) or greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) and your target(s) is only the first step on the path to compliance. Whether your building is in great shape and you just need an Energy Management Plan and submission help, or you have a number of energy efficiency measures to implement, Sershon Systems can help find the most efficient and economical path to compliance.

Sershon Systems specializes in sustainability legislative compliance – this means finding the path that’s right for your building by considering all possible options, preparing you for future compliance cycles, and not missing a detail.

You may also qualify for the Early Adopter Incentive Program, a limited funding pool available to qualifying buildings who don’t yet meet their target. Part of Sershon Systems’ Compliance Path Planning is identifying funding and other available resources for which you qualify.

A compliant Energy Management Plan must include all items under Section 5 of the Clean Buildings Performance Standard. Sershon Systems specializes in developing practical, compliant Plans that benefit you and your building, will serve your unique goals, and hold up for the next compliance cycle and beyond.

The Energy Management Plan must be implemented for a full calendar year prior to compliance, making the first deadline for Energy Management Plan finalization June 1, 2025.

Sershon Systems offers assistance with your Clean Buildings Portal as well as completing, compiling, and submitting all forms for compliance. The CBPS early compliance window opened July 1st, 2023.

While Tier 2 Buildings do not need to meet an energy use intensity target for their first compliance cycle, they must still submit energy benchmarking, an energy management plan, and form submission through the clean buildings portal. Sershon Systems has expertise in each step of this process.

The exemption application window for the Clean Buildings Performance Standard opened July 1st, 2023 for buildings 220,000 square feet and over. If you believe your building qualifies for exemption, contact Sershon Systems to verify your situation and apply for exemption with the Department of Commerce.