Seattle Building Emissions Performance Standard Rulemaking
Seattle’s new Building Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS) law (SMC 22.925), signed by Mayor Harrell on December 13, 2023, establishes greenhouse gas emissions targets that larger existing buildings must meet over the next two to three decades. The policy is projected to reduce building emissions 27% by 2050, making it one of the most impactful climate actions Seattle is taking. The City’s current phase is developing the Director’s Rule which will contain details such as required documentation, processes for compliance, and other key elements flagged for rulemaking in the BEPS ordinance.
Director’s Rule Process Overview
Per Seattle Municipal Code, a Director's Rule is the required next step to clarify ordinance elements (e.g., timeline for extension requests, documentation required) as well as to address specific rulemaking elements. OSE envisions that a successful rulemaking process will engage stakeholders and maintain the stringency of BEPS, while explaining how to use the flexible compliance options in a readable final Director’s Rule.
Stakeholder Engagement
The BEPS policy includes many flexible options for compliance and OSE values opportunities for stakeholder participation to help the City further shape and clarify these options. To facilitate this OSE is conducting or planning:
- A facilitated Technical Rulemaking Workgroup with subject matter experts from multiple sectors to weigh in on options to inform the draft.
- Facilitated topic-specific focus groups (e.g., affordable housing, decarbonization plans, private building portfolios, and others TBD).
- Public webinars for feedback on key elements of the draft rule.
- Continuous opportunities to share written comments.
- A three-week formal public comment period after the draft rule is released
Rulemaking Timeline
- Q3–Q4 2024
- Kick off Technical Rulemaking Workgroup
- Focused topical meetings
- Q1 2025
- Technical Rulemaking Workgroup and focused topical meetings as needed
- Rulemaking public webinars (dates TBD)
- Develop draft rule
- Q2 2025
- Rulemaking public webinars (dates TBD)
- Publish final rule draft for official public comment
- Publish adopted Director’s Rule
Technical Rulemaking Workgroup & Focused Topical Summaries
- Rulemaking Workgroup Member Roster
- TRW Meeting #1 - 7/11/24
- TRW Meeting #2 - 7/30/24
- TRW Meeting #3 - 9/11/24
- TRW Meeting #4 - 10/9/24
- Focused Topical Meeting – Hospital and Lab End Use Deductions – 11/13/24
- TRW Meeting #5 - 11/20/24
Focused Topical Meetings
These small group meetings will focus on key technical elements of the ordinance that need rulemaking discussion such as campus decarbonization, provisions that impact affordable housing or challenging spaces like laboratories. Please contact us if you have a technical expertise and a strong interest in participating.
Rulemaking Public Webinars
Schedule to be posted in the early 2025. Please contact us to get on the mailing list.
Opportunities for Public Comment
We welcome your questions about the process or comments. Please submit your comment via this form.