Helping Washington Communities Eliminate Wasted Energy in Tier 2 Buildings
The AEM/SEM program trains Student Energy Managers to help Washington commercial building owners, school districts, utilities, and communities identify wasted electricity, reduce operating costs, pursue Clean Buildings incentive funding, and prepare for compliance.
The model was perfected in Wenatchee, Washington. It is now coming west across the mountains to Tacoma. Other Washington communities interested in AEM/SEM will be evaluated to determine whether they are ready to benefit.
The Waste Elimination Scoreboard
Real reductions. Real savings. Real student-led energy management.
Current Program Impact
Over 4.2 million kWh eliminated through AEM projects across Wenatchee-area buildings.
Based on AEM Community Performance summary through February 2026.
The Next Chapter
Tacoma is preparing to bring the Student Energy Manager model to new buildings, schools, and community partners.
Your building may be wasting energy, missing incentives, and facing compliance risk.
AEM/SEM gives building owners, school districts, utilities, and communities a practical path forward: find the waste, reduce the load, document progress, and move quickly while incentive funding is available.
SEM helps answer the questions that matter:
The financial window is real: incentive funding is available, and penalties are coming.
Washington’s Tier 2 Clean Buildings requirements apply to many buildings over 20,000 square feet. Building owners who act early may be eligible for Early Adopter incentive funding. Building owners who fail to submit documentation demonstrating compliance may face penalties.
Early Adopter Incentive
Base incentive payment for qualifying Tier 2 buildings, calculated on gross floor area, excluding parking, unconditioned, or semi-conditioned spaces.
Enhanced Multifamily Incentive
Available to qualifying multifamily building owners who commit to anti-displacement measures, or the listed cost of compliance, whichever is lower.
Non-Compliance Penalty
Assessment of penalties for Tier 2 non-compliance cannot exceed $0.30 per square foot.
What this could mean for a 40,000 sq. ft. building
40,000 sq. ft. × $0.30
Potential Early Adopter incentive.
40,000 sq. ft. × $0.75
With qualifying anti-displacement agreement, or cost of compliance, whichever is lower.
40,000 sq. ft. × $0.30
Potential Tier 2 non-compliance exposure.
Final eligibility, incentive amounts, and compliance obligations are determined through the Washington State Clean Buildings process and participating utilities.
We work with organizations that are ready to act.
AEM/SEM is not designed for passive interest. We prioritize organizations, school districts, communities, and PUDs that are motivated, organized, and ready to benefit from the Clean Buildings incentive window.
Ready to Benefit means:
A program for buildings, students, and communities
For Building Owners
- Identify wasted electricity in your building
- Reduce operating costs without major capital upgrades
- Pursue Early Adopter incentive funding
- Prepare for Clean Buildings compliance
For Students
- Paid internship opportunities
- Real-world business and communication experience
- Work directly with building owners and operators
- Build career-ready skills in energy and technology
For Communities
- Reduce energy waste across local buildings
- Keep energy dollars in the local economy
- Create workforce development pathways
- Lower community-wide carbon emissions
Become a Student Energy Manager
This is not a classroom exercise. SEM students work with real buildings, real data, and real business leaders to reduce wasted energy while building professional skills before graduation.
Student opportunity includes:
- Paid internship opportunities
- Potential compensation package based on role, hours, and performance
- Professional mentorship
- Communication, sales, and energy management training
- Real impact on your school, community, and future career
A real-world pathway, not just a class
The SEM program gives students professional experience, mentorship, and paid opportunities while contributing to meaningful work in their community.
Why parents should pay attention:
Why building owners need SEM
1. Waste is hiding in plain sight
Most buildings waste energy during unoccupied hours, poor scheduling, unnecessary lighting, HVAC drift, and systems no one is actively watching.
2. Incentive funding is limited
Organizations need to act, apply, and get in the queue before the opportunity passes.
3. Compliance is not optional
Clean Buildings requirements create real deadlines. SEM helps move organizations from confusion to action.
What people want to know
Is this really student-led?
Yes. Student Energy Managers do real work, supported by professional mentors, proven systems, and partner organizations.
Does this require new equipment?
Not at the start. Most early savings come from identifying and eliminating wasted energy in existing systems.
How does a building get started?
Apply for an evaluation. We determine if your organization is ready to benefit and can move quickly.
What is the Early Adopter incentive?
Qualifying Tier 2 buildings may be eligible for $0.30 per square foot. Qualifying multifamily buildings with an anti-displacement agreement may be eligible for $0.75 per square foot, or cost of compliance, whichever is lower.
What is the penalty if I wait?
For Tier 2 buildings, penalties for non-compliance cannot exceed $0.30 per square foot.
Who is this for?
Commercial building owners, school districts, utilities, communities, and public agencies that are serious about reducing waste.
What do students actually do?
Students review data, communicate with building teams, identify waste patterns, support reporting, and help move action forward.
Can other communities participate?
Yes, but not automatically. Interested communities are evaluated to determine whether they are ready to benefit from the model.
Own or operate a commercial building in Wenatchee?
If your building is between 20,000 and 50,001 square feet, SEM may be able to help you understand requirements, reduce wasted electricity, pursue Early Adopter funding, and avoid future penalties.
Bring AEM/SEM to your school district, utility, facility, or community.
AEM/SEM combines student workforce development, professional energy management, compliance support, and measurable community impact.
What partners are saying
“Placeholder quote from the Wenatchee School District Superintendent about students doing meaningful work and helping the district reduce wasted energy.”
“Placeholder quote from Kirk Gibson about how the SEM model is working and why student-led energy management benefits the community.”
“Placeholder quote from a commercial building customer about seeing energy waste clearly and having a practical path forward.”
Student Portal, Customer Resources, and Press Room
The AEM site should become the hub for students, customers, partners, and media.
SEM Student Portal
- Password-protected login
- Training materials
- Weekly assignments
- Mentor feedback
Customer Resource Center
- Tier 2 rules, incentives, and compliance details
- Early Adopter incentive guide
- Sample energy reports
- Evaluation application
Press Room
- Student stories
- Scoreboard updates
- Partner announcements
- Media coverage
Ready to eliminate waste?
AEM/SEM is prioritizing organizations that are ready to act now.