Cowlitz County approves state grant to reimburse energy audits for large government buildings

Summary

Cowlitz County commissioners voted to accept a state Clean Building Performance Standards grant to reimburse energy audits for tier‑1 county buildings, moving the county toward the state's initial compliance deadline in June 2027. The motion passed unanimously during the Nov. 1 meeting after a brief presentation from Public Services staff.

Savannah Clement, public services staff, asked the board to accept a state grant that reimburses energy audits for large buildings at up to $0.85 per square foot. She said the county has two tier‑1 buildings by square footage and that audits already completed for the Hollow Justice project put the county on track for the state’s first compliance deadline in June 2027. "We've been working on this grant since 2024," Clement said, asking the board to sign and place acceptance on the consent agenda so the county can be reimbursed.

Commissioner Speaker 3 made a motion to approve acceptance of the Clean Building Performance Standards grant; Chair Speaker 1 called for a vote and commissioners responded "Aye," recording a unanimous approval. Savannah Clement said she would forward the signed paperwork to county staff for processing.

The grant acceptance covers reimbursement only for completed energy audits and does not itself change the underlying compliance obligations or schedule required by state law. Savannah Clement indicated the county will continue planning to meet the next deadlines for additional county buildings.