Seattle Building Emissions Navigator
Not sure how to meet the new Seattle Building Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS) requirements? Start here with the Building Emissions Navigator.
The Navigator offers a free technical support program for owners and managers of buildings larger than 20,000 square feet to help you understand and get ready for BEPS and the Washington Clean Buildings Performance Standard (WA CBPS). The Navigator’s program (formerly known as the Clean Buildings Accelerator) has helped dozens of building owners start their emissions reduction journeys.
The Building Emissions Navigator currently offers free coaching cohorts for building owners and grants for decarbonization projects. OSE expects to add more Navigator tools and services as BEPS deadlines near.
Seattle's Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) will offer up to $4 million in grants in 2026 to help decarbonize certain buildings larger than 20,000 square feet in Seattle. These grants will help fund engineering design and/or capital retrofit projects to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions from the buildings ahead of their compliance deadlines in the City’s new Building Emission Performance Standard (BEPS).
Applications are now being accepted. More information about the grant program, including a link to the application form, scheduled virtual info sessions and drop-in hours, and how to obtain free technical assistance with your application, is below. Applications must be submitted by 8 PM on August 10th.
- Applications are now open for 2026 Building Decarbonization Grants from OSE. Apply here.
- Use this worksheet to prepare your application ahead of time.
- Read a brief description of the Grant Program.
- Read the complete Grant Program Guidelines.
- Review the scoring criteria for how applications will be evaluated.
- Review the presentation from the May 6 pre-launch info session.
- All building owners selected for an award will be required to contract with OSE. Download the contract template.
- View a recording of the May 6, pre-launch info session.
- Free technical assistance is available on a limited, first-come, first-served basis. Buildings owned by or that house nonprofit organizations and/or serving Seattle’s Frontline communities will be prioritized, but all buildings are eligible. Watch this video to learn more. Apply now!
OSE will host two virtual information sessions on Zoom. The sessions will be recorded for those unable to attend live.
- Wednesday, May 27 from 12:30 to 1:30 PM (Register here)
- Tuesday, June 16 from 5 to 6 PM (Register here)
OSE’s Grant Program Manager and Technical Assistance Provider will host drop-in office hours to answer general questions about project eligibility and approach. Any building-specific technical questions require an application for technical assistance to be submitted. No pre-registration is required for drop-in office hours.
- June 17 from 1 to 3 PM (Click to join)
- July 7 from 9 to 10:30 AM (Click to join)
If you need assistance with the online application platform, OSE’s grants consultant will host drop-in office hours in early August:
- August 6, from 2:30 to 4 PM (Click to join)
The Navigator hosts regular coaching cohorts, designed to fit your building’s needs. Coaching will help you determine how BEPS and WA CBPS may apply to your building and the timelines to comply. Coaching also offers customized support to find energy and emissions reductions opportunities in your building and information about how to finance them.
Nonresidential cohorts
Join a four-month virtual cohort that will help owners of nonresidential buildings get ready for BEPS and WA CBPS.
Multifamily-only cohorts
Join a four-month virtual cohort just for multifamily building owners (including condos and co-ops), focused on the specific requirements and challenges that multifamily buildings face.
In-person cohorts
Want to get up to speed quickly? Join our two-day, in-person cohort, open to owners of any type of building.
All cohort participants gain access to virtual drop-in hours to help them get “unstuck.” Even if you don’t participate in a cohort, you can access online educational materials on the Navigator’s website, including videos and tools to learn about BEPS and WA CBPS at your own pace
All building owners and managers are welcome, and we especially encourage BIPOC, nonprofits, and owners of buildings that serve frontline communities1 to join our free group coaching and training. To register for a cohort, you must first attend a short info session or watch a recorded info session. Reach out to cleanbuildings@seattle.gov if you have questions.
The Navigator helps building owners understand BEPS and how it intersects with the Washington Clean Building Performance Standard, the state’s energy efficiency standard that preceded BEPS. The Navigator’s content focuses on BEPS, but if you need in-depth help complying with WA CBPS, the Department of Commerce’s BEACON project provides no-cost technical service to qualified building owners.
1Frontline communities include Black people, Indigenous people, sovereign tribal nations, communities of color, immigrants, refugees, youths, elders, houseless people, disabled people, LGBTQ+ people, people with low and no income, and people who work in outdoor occupations.