[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6226652,"mediaKeyId","3504175-5d3987dc8e69c4419ca8570ab508295d","parentId",3504175,"title","TAG allows in‑lieu solar payments to state affordable‑housing fund, clarifies rooftop exceptions","audioSeconds",1535,"startMs",3420000,"endMs",4955000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3504175-5d3987dc8e69c4419ca8570ab508295d&start=3420&end=4955","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3504175-5d3987dc8e69c4419ca8570ab508295d/thumbnail_3420000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6226652/Washington/TAG-allows-inlieu-solar-payments-to-state-affordablehousing-fund-clarifies-rooftop-exceptions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226652-7ff1bcae3f38fc562e59f0182c6c476e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770609046&Signature=Sj~XlIz4YcZ1-NO3QRVIveMfQIlEIFU3Wg-vHDPIT6YAyyaoKe11H5MTZvkSj9aqlWkAea6EBEhZDnQs9HV2PH4WZTPxR9047DlHtqphufctvW8b4mvuq1~-xJZd~Etv92tn5Cm7Goec2WV~03a4gAQGlohKiS9ybFbWEdde1IlNv7c6sqMcDadh19gplXUn~V2ALTQyMAKR5YEGWRbMb6DMCMdDit8t7GP4rwCuny3hepX0unje5SgRj2Htoce1CFRf0CWRay9RtSNDCvVAMS5r0VMsL~JQJPbBGHALlgiIionNyzcUTPvEucEus5bZsCcZTB69b456oYH4ibQl4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Building Code Council","date","2025-05-25T09:50:08.097Z","article","The Commercial Energy Code TAG voted to expand compliance options for commercial rooftop solar requirements, including allowing projects without adequate roof area to pay into a state affordable‑housing solar fund or to fund arrays on affordable housing projects instead of installing on‑site solar.

The language approved Friday (vote 11‑1 with two abstentions) keeps the code’s priority that on‑site solar be installed where feasible but creates clearer alternative paths for projects with constrained roofs. It also instructs jurisdictions to treat contributions to the renewable investment fund as the functional equivalent of a power purchase agreement for compliance purposes.

“We have this table that’s a higher dollar per watt amount for smaller systems,” proponent Dwayne Johnlin said of the in‑lieu fee schedule he brought forward. The TAG adopted a scaled fee table so that very small systems would pay a higher per‑watt fee when they choose the in‑lieu fund, reflecting higher per‑watt installed cost on those projects.

The proposal requires projects to first “comfortably” build the solar that fits on the roof — measured as net roof area that excludes obstructions and steep slopes — before pursuing off‑site options. TAG members also added the Washington State Housing Finance Commission as a qualified recipient and asked staff to treat approved renewable investment funds as a PPA when computing compliance credit.

Solar industry members supported the package while asking the TAG to allow steeper pitched roofs (up to about an 8:12 slope) for arrays. The TAG kept steeper roofs optional rather than required, citing architectural impacts on visible pitched roofs.

Action: the motion to approve the revised rooftop solar exceptions and in‑lieu fund language passed 11‑1 with two abstentions. TAG members asked staff to work with utilities and the state housing finance commission on administration details and to ensure the in‑lieu schedule is updated if markets change.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","SBCC WSEC-C TAG Meeting - May 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The TAG approved a suite of changes to rooftop solar compliance that let projects with limited roof area pay into a state affordable‑housing solar fund or place arrays on affordable housing, after requiring applicants to first maximize on‑roof solar.","taxTitle","Building Code Council, Governor's Office - Boards & Commissions, Executive, Washington","taxId",24233,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6226657,"Tag narrows humidification rules after debate on health, energy; agrees 50% cap in hotter climates",1671,1975000,3646000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3504175-5d3987dc8e69c4419ca8570ab508295d&start=1975&end=3646","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3504175-5d3987dc8e69c4419ca8570ab508295d/thumbnail_1975000.jpg","/articles/6226657/Washington/Tag-narrows-humidification-rules-after-debate-on-health-energy-agrees-50-cap-in-hotter-climates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226657-32a5fb7e15780534aa70a8d7b6c7af07/orig.mp4?Expires=1770609046&Signature=bXtteHrqoBAMoHTTP8xw5k6jsaNk2RXtQPMCxx9nCICbUCMVlz55-5-TowtAjPMRCxfWlbKMa00Paaz5n2TFQX9IkLHEYHSafHDywzUJ8Uwn~hryIYrYaKo33MLQG2jVgo5Snw8sfd6MGF-qRd6jmAOLKi00R0922Xf2VTFJ38tiuEmjn5het1NvVOaJYrSqTOf7IcMFl8TJfpWYa6cx5iMJMPxxOzbx-GFbWNWdIndDez4gpZY6z0y5SMF~zFfROasaKEJI5gitYRUfs~XOxQhLcIScQjTnVtzFikS7W5nGq12idRy5CnKDWS9UYzMhj~SWr8HHPsx2uTlSezmh6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Washington State Building Code Council’s Commercial Energy Code TAG approved changes to the 2024 energy code sections addressing building humidification and dehumidification, adopting a rewrite that combines system‑ and control‑requirements into one section and sets humidity caps targeted by climate zone.

The TAG voted 10‑5 with one abstention to approve the revised proposal after a long discussion that focused on the energy penalty and health impacts of higher indoor relative humidity. Proponents said higher humidity can reduce airborne virus persistence and improve occupant health; opponents warned of energy cost and equipment‑efficiency tradeoffs.

“This is not about prohibiting humidification to an appropriate level,” said Dwayne Johnlin as he explained the proposal’s focus on equipment efficiency. Mechanical engineer Larry Andrews pushed for a 50 percent relative‑humidity cap in warmer climates, citing public‑health literature and practitioner recommendations. “Everybody is telling you, if you want a healthy building, you need 50% humidity,” he told the TAG.

The TAG’s compromise sets a 50 percent maximum in the warmest climate zone served by a system (climate zone 5b) and a 30 percent maximum in cooler/drier zones (4c) where steam systems are more energy‑intensive. The approved language also removes a prior third‑party commissioning requirement (retaining commissioning but not requiring a third‑party provider), clarifies exceptions for laboratories and health care spaces, and consolidates the requirements into a single code section for clarity.

Proponents said the change balances energy concerns and health needs while giving design teams clearer code language. Opponents continued to caution about enforcing the new limits across diverse building types and the need to specify equipment and water‑treatment requirements for adiabatic systems.

The TAG directed staff to carry the adopted language forward to MVPE with editorial cleanup and to ensure cross‑references to other commissioning and metering sections were correct.","The TAG approved rewritten humidification and dehumidification language that simplifies duplicate sections, keeps adiabatic humidification as the primary option, and sets different maximum relative‑humidity caps by climate zone (30% in drier zone 4c, 50% in warmer zone 5b) after debate over health impacts and energy use.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6226662,"Washington energy code panel scales back predictive modeling, requires construction‑document EUI reporting",2101,3415000,5516000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3504175-5d3987dc8e69c4419ca8570ab508295d&start=3415&end=5516","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3504175-5d3987dc8e69c4419ca8570ab508295d/thumbnail_3415000.jpg","/articles/6226662/Washington/Washington-energy-code-panel-scales-back-predictive-modeling-requires-constructiondocument-EUI-reporting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226662-15ac8c7435f0bfb36a86d4706609ef4c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770609046&Signature=U6lXBxWnZBq9rbyWArT1pMdxfJEHiGRyWhgnnYgyYPh4htIF-aNRjhBjAXz~-ZD1c~UOD9vHg0XuqKmXA7MP559HO6QYt8KriI7RtAjwHxPvl9opU7gaRYvY59e6wil5yBwEA3YvK3tqW0QV5QKL4REZ2aa7yNHuP4jW0iDyVAtlhHUxen2prjromHBO0xBMMwnE5OKf1NZfHBHWIaebqwJERvz-MExZOlwhfEodQiajdPdM2X7rdbdP6u8Md4F6M2ngYcJf9mfZaT4n1xdKG-J~wBCJBnCMLd9dTSHgi~DxXX-qn6vFjyhIIjNAhBuZnbArSfUi-iawrWQ~YpvPrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Washington State Building Code Council’s Commercial Energy Code TAG voted Friday to drop a broad requirement for predictive whole‑building energy modeling and instead require that construction documents include an estimated energy‑use intensity (EUI) or other engineering estimate for buildings subject to the Clean Buildings Performance Standard.

The vote followed several hours of debate about whether predictive modeling should be mandatory for many projects, including whether lower‑cost alternatives or thresholds for larger buildings would be more practical.

“Another path would be to provide on the construction documents both estimated energy use intensity based on benchmarking of similar buildings, predicted energy modeling, or other methods,” TAG chair Joe Anderson said during the discussion as members searched for a compromise.

Supporters of mandatory predictive modeling argued it would produce better design decisions and help meet long‑term performance goals. Opponents said the models are costly, often late in design, and can be difficult for building departments to review. Several TAG members suggested a tiered approach — limiting mandatory modeling to larger projects or performance‑path projects, or adding a nonbinding option that owners could use in lieu of full modeling.

To break an impasse, a motion carried to require that construction documents include an estimated EUI (or equivalent engineering calculation or benchmarking summary) instead of a full predictive model, and to remove an earlier proposal (C413) that would have required submission of full performance reports. TAG members asked MVPE staff and PNNL to model the impacts of several approaches and return recommended thresholds and review guidance for future consideration.

The motion to approve the revised approach passed in roll call 9‑3 with two abstentions.

TAG members said the outcome is a step toward better early documentation and owner awareness while avoiding a near‑term, across‑the‑board modeling mandate that many owners and designers said they could not afford or reliably meet.

Next steps: TAG members directed PNNL and staff to quantify the effect of several candidate thresholds (for example, 50,000 sq. ft. or larger, or projects on the performance pathway) and to return with recommended applicability and review procedures before MVPE or council action.","After hours of debate, the Commercial Energy Code TAG voted to remove a broad predictive energy‑modeling mandate and instead require construction documents to include an estimated energy‑use intensity (EUI) or equivalent benchmarking information, directing staff to pursue modeling and clearer thresholds later.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":92,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":95,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6226648,"TAG preserves TSPR, advances gas‑heat‑pump standards; asks PNNL for modeling and sample designs",6505,9920000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3504175-5d3987dc8e69c4419ca8570ab508295d&start=3415&end=9920","/articles/6226648/Washington/TAG-preserves-TSPR-advances-gasheatpump-standards-asks-PNNL-for-modeling-and-sample-designs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6226648-4af71d90d07db7716b6359e58d5aa1e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770609046&Signature=cagoV3aV2fdimJtx14d-Pz~53XFlG5U87QizhPCYp3eixh87SZgKsI8QpPo0w3yCRaQVIwUkYIj3I4KC3-wkEvotiSp3Pi1ELaSN441uC4vOIm3u522EKVdlilRLC2SiRtulJiCyClYFjkMj5G~h~4LGNuWfRVJCuKpWh~4Gl6eV-sdLZTU60WxriBYlLAZGOGYlCQ9HFpszN8SgW9~E~lMttoF2aZ0JElfOFKIA4OLvNLiHQq4AM1nPUHAXV0odmjH8eSoYtkqcrFdwOP8Z7QDNuLmZbtM5~VPa3nu0-5yREYsMdOcXvro-f04dEt2Cx5Yb5TEGc2mg3nwXzztbIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Commercial Energy Code TAG voted to retain the Targeted Space Performance Requirement (TSPR) in the commercial energy code materials and approved a set of edits intended to align TSPR with the rest of the code and to clarify how it interacts with other efficiency credits.

In related actions, the TAG supported drafting references to standards and test methods for gas‑fired heat pumps so those technologies can be evaluated as eligible for energy credits. TAG members asked staff and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to produce modeling and example project cases showing how gas‑fired heat pumps and TSPR would perform under different configurations and in different climate zones.

On TSPR, the panel approved updated language to move the metric from a carbon basis to site energy and asked staff to restore TSPR language to the code where it had been stricken, while retaining safeguards so credits are not double counted with envelope or HVAC measures.

The TAG also voted to add references — not prescriptive efficiency numbers — to ANSI and ASHRAE test standards for gas‑fired heat pumps (ANSI Z21 family for combustion/rating and ASHRAE 118.1 for commercial water‑heater testing), and asked PNNL to determine appropriate credit lines and minimum baselines for the equipment types in the code’s table of system types.

Members requested sample designs showing how a project using federal‑minimum +5% gas appliances could still comply with TSPR and how gas‑fired heat pumps would compare with electric heat pumps under an annualized load profile. TAG members stressed the need to avoid unintended consequences: one member warned that a poorly‑calibrated TSPR could make compliance impossible for gas‑heavy buildings without careful modeling and baselines.

Outcomes: the TAG approved the modified TSPR language and edits (roll calls and motions were taken across several related agenda items). Members directed PNNL and staff to produce modeling, calibrated baselines and example designs for MVPE and council review.","TAG members voted to keep the Targeted Space Performance Requirement (TSPR) option in the commercial code and approved edits to TSPR materials. The panel also advanced language to recognize gas‑fired heat pumps for space and water heating, directing staff and PNNL to model exact credit values and sample project designs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

TAG allows in‑lieu solar payments to state affordable‑housing fund, clarifies rooftop exceptions

Tag narrows humidification rules after debate on health, energy; agrees 50% cap in hotter climates

Washington energy code panel scales back predictive modeling, requires construction‑document EUI reporting

TAG preserves TSPR, advances gas‑heat‑pump standards; asks PNNL for modeling and sample designs