Glossary

Terms used in Washington Clean Buildings Tier 2 filings, one line each.

Authorized representative

A person or firm the owner allows to act in the Clean Buildings Portal, usually through shared access. CBPS 016

BEPS

Seattle's Building Emissions Performance Standard: greenhouse-gas targets for Seattle nonresidential and multifamily buildings over 20,000 sq ft. A city law, separate from the state standard. seattle.gov BEPS

Benchmarking

Tracking a building's whole-building energy use over time in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and comparing it with its own history and its target. Commerce Tier 2 page

Building owner

The entity holding title to the building. For a condominium, the owners' association. CBPS 017

CBPS

Clean Buildings Performance Standard: Washington's building energy standard (WAC 194-50), administered by the Department of Commerce. Commerce Tier 2 page

Clean Buildings Portal

Commerce's online system for compliance, exemption, extension and incentive applications. Commerce Tier 2 page

CMMS

Computerized maintenance management system. Screenshots of completed tasks are accepted as O&M proof. CBPS 037

Energy Management Plan (EMP)

The building's written plan for tracking and managing energy use. It includes the O&M program and is signed by the owner annually. CBPS 037

Energy manager

The person the owner designates to develop and maintain the EMP. Can be the owner, staff, a tenant or a contractor. Signs Form A. CBPS 017

ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager (ESPM)

The U.S. EPA's free benchmarking tool, required for Tier 2 and for Seattle benchmarking. Commerce Tier 2 page

EUI

Energy use intensity: annual site energy use divided by gross floor area, in kBtu per sq ft. Commerce Tier 2 page

EUIt

Energy use intensity target, set on Form B by the QEM from activity type, floor area and operating hours. Tier 2 must identify it, not meet it. Commerce Tier 2 page

Exemption

Relief for one compliance cycle when listed conditions affect more than 50% of floor area. Due six months before the deadline. CBPS 028

Extension

A two-year delay, requested from six months before to six months after the deadline. It does not earn the incentive. CBPS 044

Form A

The compliance signature form, signed by the owner, the energy manager and the QEM. CBPS 017

Form B

The form that records the energy use intensity target (EUIt) inputs. CBPS 016

Form C

The form that reports measured energy use and EUI from Portfolio Manager. CBPS 016

Gross floor area (GFA)

Square feet measured to the outside of the enclosing walls, including lobbies, mechanical rooms and shafts; excluding parking, docks and exterior space. CBPS 008

NOVCI

Notice of violation and corrective instruction. Gives at least 30 days to comply before a penalty is assessed. WAC 194-50-160

O&M program

The operations and maintenance program for energy-using equipment: inventory, preventive tasks, tracking and records. CBPS 037

Qualified Energy Manager (QEM)

The person who must review, set the EUIt and sign a Tier 2 filing, qualified by Commerce training plus experience, or as a Qualified Person. WAC 194-50-030

Shared access

A portal permission that lets a representative view, update or submit for the owner without the owner's credentials. CBPS 016

Tier 2 covered building

A Washington building with more than 20,000 and up to 50,000 gross sq ft of nonresidential, hotel, motel and dormitory space, or multifamily over 20,000 sq ft, excluding parking. Commerce Tier 2 page

WNEUI

Weather-normalized EUI: EUI adjusted for the weather of the reporting year. WAC 194-50-160