WA HB1543

Allows the Department of Commerce to develop alternative compliance metrics related to energy use and greenhouse gas emissions beyond energy use intensity targets for covered buildings under the state energy performance standard

Expands exemption criteria for covered buildings to include K-12 schools with capital construction hardships, public hospitals lacking debt capacity, buildings with COVID-19 pandemic-related assessed value losses, and properties where compliance would impair historic integrity or national security

Permits building owners to request a two-year compliance extension from the department for conditions beyond their control, with applications accepted six months before through six months after the compliance deadline

Removes the requirement that buildings have three or more tenants before utilities must provide aggregated energy consumption data to building owners without tenant consent

Requires the department to consider building age when setting energy use intensity targets or alternative metrics for tier 2 covered buildings (20,000-50,000 square feet) when adopting performance standards by December 31, 2030