The City of Seattle has been awarded $17.2 million from the Department of Energy as part of the Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act. This funding will support a landmark program aimed at achieving zero carbon emissions in buildings by 2050. The Seattle Building Emissions Performance Standard, approved by the Seattle City Council and Mayor Bruce Harrell in December, will apply to over 4,100 existing buildings of more than 20,000 square feet, including skyscrapers, residential buildings, retail spaces, schools, and community centers.
The primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions in buildings are oil and natural gas, including fossil fuel-powered furnaces, water heaters, gas stoves, and fuel leaks. The new rules are expected to reduce emissions from Seattle’s buildings by 27% by the middle of the century. The federal funding will support various initiatives under the Building Emissions Performance Standard, including the creation of a support hub for building owners, compliance fellows to help calculate and report emissions, scholarships for facility managers, and access to grants and financial resources.
The resources will be administered through the city’s Office of Sustainability and Environment, with a focus on assisting building owners in implementing low-carbon upgrades and complying with the new regulations. In addition to the funding for building emissions, the Washington state Department of Commerce has awarded nearly $5 million to support public higher education institutions in reducing their carbon emissions as well.
Overall, these initiatives represent a significant step towards achieving carbon neutrality in Seattle’s buildings and reducing the city’s overall greenhouse gas emissions. By implementing the Building Emissions Performance Standard and providing resources and support to building owners, the city is taking proactive measures to combat climate change and transition towards a more sustainable future. The federal funding and support from the Washington state Department of Commerce will play a crucial role in accelerating the adoption of low-carbon technologies and practices in buildings across Seattle and the state.
