Building Potential

09/11/2026

9 a.m. - 5 p.m. October 15, 2026

University of Washington Husky Union Building | Seattle, Washington

Come together with regional energy experts, advocates, utility leaders, business representatives, and policymakers from across WA, OR, ID, and MT to pause and reflect on where we are in the energy transition and how we continue to move towards a clean, affordable, and equitable energy system.

Learn more by following this link: https://nwenergy.org/fall-2026-conference/

09/04/2026

Come join NEEA & UW for another {free} opportunity to learn about the Commercial Washington State Energy Code!
Understanding Envelope Tradeoffs: Navigating the Component Performance Alternative Pathway in the Commercial Washington State Energy Code (WSEC-C). 🏢 Looking for more flexibility in meeting Washington State Energy Code envelope requirements? UA trade-off analysis can help design teams evaluate envelope options while maintaining code compliance.
📅 September 30, 2026
⏰ 12:00–1:00 PM PT
💻 Webinar
🎓 1.0 AIA HSW LU or Certificate of Completion
✅ Registration link in comments below
This webinar is presented by the University of Washington Integrated Design Lab, with support from the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA).
Moderator: Heather Burpee, University of Washington Integrated Design Lab Design Lab
Presenters:
Teresa Moroseos, UW Integrated Design Lab,
Pia Westen, SHKS Architects, and
Andi Burnham, PE, BEMP, LEED AP BDC Burnham, Delta E Consulting
✅ UA basics: U-factor, envelope area, and total UA
✅ Prescriptive compliance vs. the UA trade-off pathway
✅ When UA trade-off analysis can provide useful design flexibility
✅ Where U-factors come from
✅ Examples of UA trade-offs in practice
✅ Using the WSEC Webtool to evaluate envelope design options

09/02/2026

We've almost finalized the agenda for Smart Buildings Exchange (SBX) 2026 and wanted to share some highlights for Day 2!

We're excited to have Perry England (MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions) provide the SBX Day 2 Welcome Remarks followed by an Opening Keynote on "Accelerating Performance at the Speed of Innovation" by Megan Owen (McKinstry). Joseph Aamidor (Aamidor Consulting) will deliver the Lunch Keynote on "Smart Buildings in a Chaotic World" and Poppy Storm (2050 Institute) will deliver a forward-looking Closing Keynote on "What Will It Take to Reach Scale?"

Also on SBX Day 2, Nicole DeNamur (Climate Aligned Law) will moderate a debate between Larry Eisenberg (Ovus Partners 360), Kristin Gustafson (Eide Bailly), and Eli Lieberman (Washington Builds) centered on the question: should building performance continue to be financed as one-off owner projects, or treated like infrastructure? Topics will include green banks, public vs. private capital, utility investment, and the capital models most likely to unlock scale.

Early Bird Registration ends 9/12! Don't miss you chance to get access and save! For more details and the full original post on our blog click below:

Day 2 of 0 2 We’ve almost finalized the agenda for Smart Buildings Exchange (SBX) 2026 and wanted to share some highlights for Day 2! We’re excited to have Perry England […]

08/20/2026

Join the Seattle 2030 District as they bring together 150+ property owners and managers, architects, engineers, contractors, developers, sustainability professionals, and community partners for an evening of networking, collaboration, and connection.

This event is an opportunity to connect with leaders across Seattle’s built environment and engage in conversations around building performance, sustainability, and the future of our communities.

Date: September 17, 2025
Time: 4-6pm
Location: BNBuilders, Seattle Office
Register today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/seattle-summer-social-registration-1991399828494?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

We hope to see you there!

07/15/2026

Interested in speaking or have speaker suggestions? We want to hear from you!

Ready to share your expertise or know great speakers who should be considered? Complete our speaker suggestion form to tell us about yourself or the suggested speaker(s), areas of expertise, and which topics would be a good fit. Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and our programming team will be in touch with those whose experience aligns with our conference themes.

Submit Speaker Suggestion Form by July 17th! For more details and SBX26 News check out this link:

Interested in speaking or have speaker suggestions? We want to hear from you! Ready to share your expertise or know great speakers who should be considered? Complete our speaker suggestion […]

07/02/2026

Are you in the Portland, OR area and looking for a new role? Our friends at Franklin Energy have job openings you might be the perfect fit for! Check out these listings for more details:
Strategic Energy Management Coach - https://jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-US/febenjamin/CANDIDATEPORTAL/jobs/3734
Senior SEM Statistical Analyst - https://jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-US/febenjamin/CANDIDATEPORTAL/jobs/3708
Coolkeeper - Field Tech https://jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-US/febenjamin/CANDIDATEPORTAL/jobs/3586

Find your next adventure

07/02/2026

We’re proud to join the Bellevue 2030 District for their 3rd Annual Summer Social, happening Thursday, July 16th from 4-6pm at Midstation, Bellevue!

This event brings together leaders in real estate, sustainability, design, and community development to celebrate progress toward a more resilient and energy-efficient Bellevue. Enjoy networking, light refreshments, and inspiring conversations with fellow changemakers.

RSVP here: Eventbrite Registration
Location: Midstation, Bellevue
Time: 4:00-6:00pm | Thursday, July 16

We hope to see you there!

07/01/2026

Our friends at NEEA and the UW Integrated Design Lab have a webinar coming up that may be of interest to you! Check out all the details below.

🏢 Renovating, retrofitting, or repurposing an existing building in Washington? Understanding how the Washington State Energy Code applies to your project can be one of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—for project success.

Join us for a free webinar:
Navigating Washington State Energy Code in Existing Buildings: Practical Strategies for Renovations, Retrofits, and Adaptive Reuse
📅 July 15, 2026
⏰ 12:00–1:00 PM PT
💻 Webinar: https://washington.zoom.us/meeting/register/6xUjtd9HQo6V8iRxtZEi7Q

This webinar is brought to you by the University of Washington Integrated Design Lab (Heather Burpee and Teresa Moroseos) and Delta E Consulting (Eric Vander Mey and Andi Burnham), with support from the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA).
Existing buildings rarely fit neatly into current energy code requirements. This session will provide practical guidance for architects, engineers, building owners, developers, code officials, and design professionals working on upgrades, renovations, and adaptive reuse projects.
Topics include:
✅ Energy code requirements for existing buildings
✅ HVAC equipment replacements and alterations
✅ Water heater replacements
✅ Building envelope modifications
✅ Code pathways for thermal energy networks
✅ Adaptive reuse projects, including office-to-residential conversions
✅ Understanding when a project triggers substantial alteration requirements

Existing buildings rarely fit neatly into today's energy code requirements. Whether you're replacing aging equipment, renovating building systems, modifying the envelope, or converting office space to residential use, understanding how the Washington State Energy Code applies can be both challenging...

05/01/2026

Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_za1FKvKtR6uex-xBiqne6g
Please join us for the webinar “Seattle Building Emissions Performance Standards & Seattle Energy Code for Existing Buildings: What BEPS & SEC Requirements Apply to Your Building?” hosted by the Smart Buildings Center and Building Potential, the Building Operator Certification (BOC) program, and the City of Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment.
This session is intended for anyone impacted by these policies, including building operators and facilities professionals, building owners, property managers, and service providers. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how BEPS and Seattle Energy Code requirements apply to existing buildings and what to expect for compliance.

04/23/2026

HB1543 rulemaking update: CR-102 filed
Commerce filed the CR-102 for the HB1543 rulemaking on April 09, 2026. The proposed rules and the CR-102 form are available on the Clean Buildings webpage. The form includes:

Agency contact information
Intended adoption date
Public hearing details
Small Business Economic Impact Statement.

Public hearing: Thursday, May 28, 2026, 10 a.m.

The public hearing and end of the comment period for HB1543 rulemaking is scheduled for May 28, 2026. This is your opportunity to give a testimony on the proposed rules and to participate in the rulemaking process.

Register to participate: https://ow.ly/ki9w50YOIMy

You can submit written comments can be submitted through the stakeholder comment form. The deadline for written comments is May 28, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.

Register to participate in the public hearing and provide verbal testimony or comments. The following documents can be found on the Clean Buildings Website at www.commerce.wa.gov/cbps (copy/paste the link into your web browser): - CR 101 - CR 102 with point of contact, proposed rules, public hearing...