Power Factor Newsletter

Key Accounts and Community Leader Summit Save the Date

Save the Date for the Clark Public Utilities Key Account and Community Leader Summit – mark your calendars for the afternoon of Tuesday, Nov. 17!

As we look to the coming year, you are invited to join Clark Public Utilities senior staff and subject matter experts for a packed agenda including:

• Infrastructure/AMI/substation improvements
• Utility recap of clean energy programs/projects
• Energy Conservation program & demand response updates and program successes

Invitations will be coming soon.

Washington State Clean Buildings Performance Standard – Tier II Early Adopter Incentives and Support Pilot Workshop

Do you have a commercial building that is 20,000 – 50,000 square feet in Clark County? If your answer is yes, you will need to comply with the Washington State Clean Buildings Performance Standard by July 1, 2027. The three primary compliance components are as follows:

• Benchmarking in Energy Star Portfolio Manager to track energy use in your building over time
• Implementing an operations and maintenance plan
• Creating an energy management plan

Clark Public Utilities has a free program offering to support you with Washington Clean Buildings Performance Standard compliance. The Clark Public Utilities’ Tier 2 Accelerator Program will provide compliance support and resources through a series of three webinars and access to our Tier 2 online dashboard. Please see the webinar topics below, which will be offered multiple times this year on a rotating schedule and can be taken at your own pace. Once you enroll in the program, you will be able to register for the webinars and access compliance resources.

• Webinar 1: Benchmarking – Our team will walk you through the step-by-step process to set up your ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager (ESPM) account, add your building(s) and connect with Clark Public Utilities for uploads of your utility consumption data. We will review how to obtain your Energy Use Intensity (EUI) from your ESPM account and calculate your Energy Use Intensity Target (EUIT).
• Webinar 2: Energy Management Plan (EMP) – During this webinar our team will walk you through Section 5 of the law which requires you to develop and implement an Energy Management Plan (EMP). We will provide you with a template and walk through how to fill out each section of the EMP.
• Webinar 3: Operations and Maintenance Program (O&M) – This webinar will focus on the development and implementation of the building’s O&M Program using tools and templates. We will provide examples of how buildings can meet the intent of the standard and incorporate required components such as equipment and systems inventory and tracking preventative maintenance. We will also highlight energy-saving opportunities that all building owners can implement.

We will continue this series in 2027. The final 2026 webinar information can be found below:

• October 27 – Webinar 1: Benchmarking

Submit the Enrollment Form to secure your spot.

For more information, contact Key Accounts Energy Solutions Manager Bill Hibbs at 360-992-3340 or [email protected].

Washington State Clean Buildings Performance Standard – Tier II Accelerator Open House

Clark Public Utilities is excited to invite you to our in-person open house on Nov. 5. This is a great opportunity to join us for additional support with Washington State Clean Buildings Performance Standard (CBPS) compliance.

Clark Public Utilities is teaming up with Energy Trust of Oregon, NW Natural and representatives from the Washington State Department of Commerce to bring you one-on-one assistance from utility and industry experts. Stop by any time during the event and get help with:

• Setting up ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and benchmarking your building(s)
• Calculating your building’s Energy Use Intensity Target (EUIt)
• Getting templates for your required compliance documentation
• Learning about cash incentives available for energy-saving building improvements
• Accessing the Washington Clean Buildings Portal

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, Nov. 5
• Time: 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — Drop in any time that works for your schedule.
• Location: Clark Public Utilities Electric Center 1200 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, WA 98663
• Light refreshments will be provided throughout the event.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

We know navigating these requirements can be overwhelming, and our goal is to make compliance as straightforward as possible. This is a great opportunity to get direct answers to all your compliance questions in one convenient stop — no appointment necessary.

For more information, contact Key Accounts Energy Solutions Manager Bill Hibbs at 360-992-3340 or [email protected].

HB1185 and Planning for Changes to Fluorescent Lighting

Following the signing of House Bill 1185 into law, the sale of most compact fluorescent and linear fluorescent lamps will be prohibited in Washington State beginning Jan. 1, 2029. Retailers will be allowed to sell existing inventory through July 1, 2029.

If your business still has fluorescent lighting, now is a good time to start thinking about when you may want to replace it. Planning ahead gives you an opportunity to evaluate your lighting needs before a replacement becomes necessary and fluorescent lamps may be harder to find.

Clark Public Utilities’ Commercial Lighting Incentive Program (CLIP) can help offset the cost of qualifying lighting upgrades. Incentives are currently available for many commercial and industrial lighting projects, including replacing fluorescent fixtures with more energy-efficient LED technology.

If you are already considering a lighting upgrade or want to start planning for the transition away from fluorescent lighting, contact your Key Accounts Manager before starting the project to see what CLIP incentives may be available.

Lending Library

Are you curious about how energy is used in your business? Clark Public Utilities Lending Library is available for customers to borrow a selection of datalogging and measurement instruments that can help you identify energy efficiency opportunities.

Instruments including clamp-on AC loggers, compressed air leak detectors, infrared cameras, and temperature loggers can help investigate sources of energy waste and efficiency upgrade opportunities. Visit our Lending Library webpage to learn more about available items and how to borrow them.

Upcoming Trainings

Clark Public Utilities is a proud sponsor of the 2026 Building Operation Certification program technical webinar series. As a sponsor of the technical webinar series, Clark Public Utilities can offer customers complimentary registrations to the webinars and access to webinar recordings for sessions that have already been offered. The 2026 series is complete and available webinars include:

• Thermal Energy Network as a Driver for Building Decarbonization
  This webinar explores how thermal energy networks enable efficient heating and cooling while significantly reducing building-related carbon emissions. Attendees will learn how these systems integrate with electrification strategies and support long-term decarbonization goals for campuses, districts, and portfolios.
• Artificial Intelligence, Fault Detection & Diagnostics for Predictive Maintenance
  Discover how AI-driven fault detection and diagnostics can transform building operations from reactive to predictive. This session will highlight how advanced analytics identify equipment issues early, reduce downtime, and lower maintenance and energy costs.
• How to Utilize Diagnostic Tools to Identify Energy Savings
  Learn how modern diagnostic tools can uncover hidden inefficiencies in building systems and pinpoint actionable energy-saving opportunities. This webinar will walk through practical approaches to utilizing specific diagnostic tools, analyzing data, prioritizing improvements, and validating results.
• Efficient Energy Management with ISO 50001
  This webinar provides an overview of ISO 50001, a global energy management standard, and how it helps organizations establish a structured, continuous approach to energy management. Participants will gain insight into implementation strategies, performance tracking, and aligning energy goals with broader sustainability objectives.
• Retrocommissioning as a Tool for Compliance with Building Performance Standards
  Explore how retrocommissioning can improve building performance while supporting compliance with building performance standards. This session will demonstrate how systematic testing and optimization can reduce energy use, improve occupant comfort, and help achieve compliance with performance standards.
• Cybersecurity for Smart Buildings
  As buildings become more connected, cybersecurity is critical to protecting operational technology and data. This webinar will cover common cyber risks in smart buildings and practical strategies to safeguard building automation systems and digital infrastructure.

In addition to the webinars, Clark Public Utilities is also offering two $1,000.00 scholarships to individuals interested in completing a Building Operators Certification level I, level II or Fundamentals of Energy Efficient Building Operations course. Please contact your Key Accounts Manager if you are interested in applying for a scholarship.