Washington Clean Buildings Performance Standard · Tier 2
Draft Tier 2 documents, prepared well before the July 1, 2027 deadline.
We prepare draft Washington Clean Buildings Tier 2 compliance documents for property managers, condo associations and owners of mid-size buildings, using the information you provide. Your Qualified Energy Manager (QEM) reviews and approves the technical determinations, makes any required changes and attestations, and submits the final package to Commerce.
Free, one page, no obligation. Opens an email to [email protected].
Who it's for
Built for the people who manage mid-size buildings
If your building falls in Tier 2, its owner has to report compliance to the state. We support:
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Property management companies
One process for every covered building in your portfolio, with portfolio pricing from three buildings.
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Condo and HOA boards
Volunteer boards get clear, organized drafts their Qualified Energy Manager (QEM) can review, revise and approve.
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Owners of mid-size buildings
Offices, retail and other commercial buildings that need the documentation drafted without engaging a full-service energy consulting firm.
Is my building Tier 2?
Generally, a building falls into Tier 2 if it is:
- Non-residential: more than 20,000 and up to 50,000 gross sq ft (not counting parking garages).
- Multifamily residential: more than 20,000 gross sq ft (not counting parking garages).
Some buildings qualify for an exemption, and federal and tribal buildings aren't covered. Not sure? The free Snapshot gives our preliminary assessment from public records, for the owner or QEM to confirm. Source: Washington State Department of Commerce, Tier 2 compliance.
At a glance
The deadline, the penalty and the incentive
- Reporting deadline July 1, 2027 Tier 2 owners must report compliance by this date, then every five years.
- Maximum penalty $0.30/sq ft Penalties for not submitting can't exceed $0.30 per square foot.
- Early adopter incentive $0.30/sq ft Base rate, paid by participating utilities. First-come, not guaranteed. Some multifamily owners may qualify for more.
Facts as published by the Washington State Department of Commerce. Rules change, so always check the source: commerce.wa.gov/cbps. Evergreen Compliance is an independent company and is not affiliated with the Washington State Department of Commerce.
What we prepare
Draft Tier 2 documentation, prepared using the state's own templates
We work from information you provide and the free tools Commerce publishes, so your Qualified Energy Manager (QEM) reviews familiar documents instead of starting from a blank page.
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ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager setup
A setup checklist for EPA's free benchmarking tool and an administrative review of the energy data you provide.
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Benchmarking and target form inputs
Draft data inputs and supporting information for Form B and benchmarking forms, for your QEM to review, calculate or revise as necessary, and approve.
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Energy Management Plan
A draft plan on Commerce's Energy Management Plan template, prepared from information you provide, for the building manager and QEM to review, complete and implement.
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Operations & Maintenance program
A draft equipment inventory and maintenance schedule on Commerce's O&M Program Development Tool, from equipment nameplate photos and information supplied by your building team.
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Incentive application checklist
A checklist of what the early adopter incentive application asks for, to help your team assemble the information requested.
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QEM review and submission checklist
A step-by-step list of what your QEM reviews, approves, attests to and submits in the Clean Buildings Portal.
How it works
Four steps, and you stay in control
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Get your free Building Snapshot
Email us the building's name or address. We send back one page with our preliminary assessment of likely Tier 2 status, the deadline, the potential maximum penalty, an incentive estimate and a to-do list.
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Get a quote and share your information
One flat fee per building, with portfolio pricing. You fill out a short questionnaire, share Portfolio Manager access or utility data, and send equipment nameplate photos.
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We prepare the drafts
We draft the form inputs, Energy Management Plan, O&M program and checklists on the state's templates, then perform an administrative completeness review against Commerce's published templates and guidance before providing them to your QEM.
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Your QEM reviews, approves and submits
Your QEM independently reviews the drafts, performs or confirms the determinations required of the QEM, makes any necessary changes and attestations, and submits through your Clean Buildings Portal account. We never sign, attest or submit on your behalf.
Pricing
Flat fees per building, with terms that keep the risk low
Prices assume your building has its own Qualified Energy Manager (QEM). Commerce offers free QEM training, and a building manager or chief engineer may qualify after it. Commerce decides eligibility.
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Starter
$650/building
Portfolio Manager setup checklist, an administrative review of your energy data, and draft extension-application materials for you to review and submit.
Credited in full if you upgrade to the Full draft package within 60 days.
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Recommended
Full draft package
$2,250/building
Everything in Starter, plus Form B and benchmarking input drafts, a draft Energy Management Plan, a draft O&M program, and the incentive and QEM submission checklists.
One building, any type, up to 100,000 sq ft.
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Portfolio, 3–9 buildings
$1,850/building
The Full draft package for each building owned or managed by the same company.
One process and one point of contact for the whole portfolio.
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Portfolio, 10+ buildings
$1,650/building
The Full draft package for each building, with one shared O&M framework adapted to each building's equipment.
Started in batches of up to five buildings.
Terms
- Refundable deposit: $500 per building to start ($300 per building for portfolios), fully refundable until we deliver the draft documents. The balance is due before we deliver the final, editable files.
- Drafts in 15 business days after we receive complete information: the questionnaire, Portfolio Manager sharing or utility data, and nameplate photos.
- Corrections included: one round of revisions after your QEM's review, plus free corrections to documents we prepared if Commerce asks for changes.
- Our fee doesn't depend on the incentive. The early adopter incentive is first-come and not guaranteed, and we can't guarantee Commerce's acceptance.
- Secure Stripe invoices, paid by bank transfer (ACH) or card. Buildings over 100,000 sq ft are quoted individually. Quotes accepted from April 1, 2027 are $250 more per building.
What you get
A tidy set of drafts your QEM can work through in one sitting
For each building you receive a folder with: the Portfolio Manager setup checklist and data notes; the Form B and benchmarking input packet, with the information sources listed; the draft Energy Management Plan (Word, on Commerce's template); the draft O&M program (Excel, on Commerce's tool) with your equipment inventory and maintenance tasks; the incentive application checklist; and a QEM review-and-submission checklist with open items flagged. Everything is marked DRAFT until your QEM approves it.
Want to see an example first? Ask for sample drafts prepared for a made-up building.
FAQ
Straight answers
Are you part of the state or the Department of Commerce?
No. Evergreen Compliance is an independent company and is not affiliated with the Washington State Department of Commerce. Commerce publishes free templates, guidance and office hours, and you can complete Tier 2 yourself with them. We prepare drafts so your team doesn't start from a blank page.
Do you submit the report for us?
No. Washington's rules assign specific calculations, determinations, attestations and submission responsibilities to the building's Qualified Energy Manager (QEM). We prepare administrative drafts and supporting materials for the QEM's independent review. Your QEM approves the documents, makes the required attestations and submits them through your own Clean Buildings Portal account.
We don't have a Qualified Energy Manager (QEM). What now?
Commerce sets the qualifications and offers free QEM training. Many teams already have someone, such as a building manager or chief engineer, who may qualify after the training, but Commerce decides eligibility. The Smart Buildings Center also links a directory of Qualified Energy Managers.
Will we get the incentive?
We can't promise that. The early adopter incentive is first-come, not guaranteed. Commerce approves applications and participating utilities pay owners directly, and payments can be reduced or delayed. Your Snapshot shows an estimate based on the published rate. Our fee doesn't depend on the incentive.
How long does it take?
We deliver drafts within 15 business days after we receive complete information. Utility data and building details can take a while to collect, and your QEM needs time to review, so starting early leaves room for delays.
Who is behind Evergreen Compliance?
Evergreen Compliance is a small, California-based business. We work remotely with Washington building owners, property managers and their QEMs by email and shared files.
Is this legal or engineering advice?
No. We provide administrative compliance support and document preparation based on the information you provide and Commerce's published materials. We don't provide engineering, architectural or legal services, and we can't guarantee Commerce will accept a submission. For questions about your obligations, check commerce.wa.gov/cbps or talk to your own advisors.
See where your building stands
Send us a building name or address. We'll reply with a free one-page Building Snapshot: our preliminary assessment of likely Tier 2 status based on public information, the deadline, the potential maximum penalty, an incentive estimate and a to‑do list.
Request your free Building SnapshotOr email [email protected]