A unique partnership between Energy Trust of Oregon and Clark Public Utilities (Clark PUD) is helping organizations in Southwest Washington save energy, reduce costs and comply with Washington’s Clean Buildings Performance Standard.

Energy Trust’s Strategic Energy Management (SEM) and Clark PUD’s SEM offerings provide practical, hands-on coaching. Participants learn to identify low- and no-cost savings opportunities, while building a path towards state energy standard compliance.

One of the participants in the offering, the team at Clark County Facilities Management, found early results impressive. Since joining SEM, the team has cut energy use across multiple buildings, improved system performance, boosted staff awareness and is tracking toward meeting the state standard – all with support from Energy Trust and Clark PUD energy coaches.

“The SEM offering gives us a pathway to where we need to be to meet state requirements,” –Ryan Bird, facilities management manager for Clark County.

SEM isn’t about one-time upgrades; it’s about lasting change. Through regular workshops, check-ins, awareness campaigns with stickers and newsletters for staff and on-site “treasure hunts,” the team is learning to spot energy waste and act quickly.

Getting started: from uncertainty to action

When Clark County joined SEM, the Facilities Management team wasn’t sure what to expect.

“There was some uncertainty at the start,” said Ryan Schmit, operations supervisor and project manager. “But once we started working with our coach and seeing the process, it clicked. It’s eye-opening, you become a lot more aware of what we’re doing and where we’re trying to go in terms of saving energy.”

With guidance from SEM energy coaches, the county quickly built an energy roadmap. Early actions included:

• Creating a monthly “building scan” checklist to identify and fix small issues before they grow.
• Conducting night walks to find lights left on and HVAC systems running after hours.
• Cleaning filters more regularly and adjusting setpoints and schedules through their building automation system.

Treasure hunts, hands-on walkthroughs that help identify energy-saving opportunities hiding in everyday operations, pointed to deeper changes as well, such as adding occupancy sensors, replacing aging dampers with efficient actuators and continuing to install LED lighting during remodels. The team also built on earlier projects like solar hot water systems at the jail and health center, while keeping new opportunities front and center.

“As lights go out, we now replace them with LEDs and install occupancy sensors,” said Schmit. “Changes like that add up.”

Early wins equal long-term impact and savings

Slow and steady improvements are showing measurable reductions in energy use and stronger engagement from both staff and leadership. More importantly, the county is now better positioned to meet the state’s building performance standards and avoid costly penalties beginning in 2027.

“The SEM program helps us identify projects worth investing in,” said Bird. “Being a public entity, we have to plan requests for funds a year in advance. SEM helps us prioritize what matters most.”

Regular check-ins with SEM energy coaches keep energy efficiency on the agenda, even when other projects compete for attention. “Without that ongoing accountability, it’s easy for energy work to get sidelined,” Bird added. “This program keeps it moving.”

For Clark County, SEM has become more than a checklist, it’s a mindset. Small operational changes are now second nature and energy-saving habits are part of daily work. The culture shift is exactly what the Energy Trust and Clark PUD partnership is designed to create.

“Every time we do a walk-through or review, we find something new,” said Schmit. “It’s not just about fixing problems, it’s about learning to look at our buildings differently.”

Ready to get started?

Businesses and organizations in Southwest Washington can explore Clark PUD’s SEM program to save energy and operational costs. Visit Clark PUD’s Commercial SEM page or email Key Accounts Energy Solutions Manager Bill Hibbs at BHibbs@clarkpud.com.