| State Energy-Efficient Design (SEED) Program |
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SEED is the State Energy Efficiency Design program. SEED was originally established in 1991 as a result of Oregon State law, ORS 276.900-915. This law directs state agencies to work with the Oregon Department of Energy (Energy) to ensure cost-effective energy conservation measures (ECMs) are included in new and renovated public buildings. It was revised in 2001 to require that all state facilities constructed on or after June 30, 2001 exceed the energy conservation provisions of the Oregon State building code by 20 percent or more.
It is the policy of the State of Oregon that facilities to be constructed or purchased by authorized state agencies be designed, constructed, renovated and operated so as to minimize the use of nonrenewable energy resources and to serve as models of energy efficiency.
- ORS 276.900
In addition, the 2007 Oregon Legislature passed HB2620 which requires that public entities spend 1.5% of the total contract price
of a public improvement contract for new construction or major renovation of a public building on solar energy technology. For more information about this requirement and the rules, see our Web page.
More about SEED…
· How does SEED work?
· SEED process and requirements (step-by-step)
· Who is required to follow SEED?
·Who pays for SEED?
· Why do SEED?
· What is Energy´s role in SEED?
· SEED toolbox (spreadsheets, report templates, etc.)
· History of SEED
· SEED legislation, rules, and guidelines
· SEED contact information
How does SEED work?
Under SEED, state agencies are required to notify Energy of any new construction or renovation projects.
Depending upon the size and complexity of the project, Energy staff provide technical consulting services to state agencies and/or their authorized contractors throughout the course of a project. State agencies reimburse Energy for services rendered. Fees are capped at 0.2 percent of capital construction costs (but are usually less).
These services ensure that all cost-effective energy conservation measures (ECMs) are included in a building and that the building exceeds the energy conservation provisions of the Oregon State building code by 20 percent or more. In many cases, Energy involvement has also enabled the agency to save capital costs.
Click here for a more detailed description of the SEED process and program requirements.
Who is required to follow SEED?
SEED applies to all state agencies and state higher education institutions that are authorized to finance the construction, purchase or renovation of buildings or other structures to be used by the State of Oregon. It is not optional.
The only instance where SEED does not apply is when the facility has absolutely no energy using systems.
Who pays for SEED?
The state agency or higher education institution doing the construction or renovation pays for SEED. In order to meet the requirements of SEED, state agencies may incur higher design or construction costs. Early involvement by Energy can help minimize these costs.
State agencies reimburse Energy for services provided based on an hourly rate ($95/hour) for the actual hours worked on a project. Invoices are issued quarterly. As established byORS 276.900-915, total charges cannot exceed 0.2 percent of a project´s capital construction costs.
The goal of SEED is to ensure that all cost-effective energy conservation measures (ECMs) are included in state buildings and that the building meets the 20 percent better than code provision. The more work the owner/agency does towards this goal, the less work Energy must do and the less the agency must pay for SEED assistance.
Why do SEED?
1. By constructing and renovating buildings with energy efficiency in mind, state agencies can significantly reduce long-term operating costs. In some cases, initial capital costs may also be reduced. Those savings can be redirected to fund essential services. Additional benefits of energy efficiency are reducing environmental impacts and improving comfort for building occupants.
2. It´s the law.
What is Energy´s role in SEED?
Energy´s role is to help the agency/owner. We act as the owner´s representative to guide the SEED process and make sure that the design team´s work meets all SEED legislative requirements. We also act as the owner´s expert on energy efficient building design practices and provide an additional level of project quality control.
Working with Energy early in a project helps ensure that all parties are on the same page from the beginning and limits the possibility of future surprises.
History of SEED
| 1991 |
ORS 276.900-915 adopted by Oregon State Legislature. |
| OAR 330-130 written. Officially establishes SEED program. |
| 1998 |
OAR 330-130 amended. Major changes included adopting a two-path approach to SEED (Design Review Method or Design Assistance Method), establishing an hourly fee for services, and setting a cap on service changes of 0.2 percent of the first $3 million and 0.05 percent of costs over
$3 million. |
| 2001 |
House Bill 3788 passed by Oregon Legislature. Amended ORS 276.900-915 to include "20 percent better than code" and renewable energy provisions. |
| November 2001 |
OAR 330-130 amended. Major changes included eliminating the Design Assistance Method and establishing the Metering Plan, Verification Plan, and Post-Occupancy Monitoring. |
May
2002 |
OAR 330-130 amended. Changed self-imposed cap of 0.05 percent of construction costs to 0.20 percent of construction costs and raised the hourly fee from $65 / hr to $75 / hr to fully recover program costs. |
| January 2003 |
OAR 330-130 amended. Major changes included changing wording to more accurately reflect current practices. |
| May 2007 |
Raised the hourly fee from $75/hr to $95/hr to fully cover program costs.
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SEED legislation, rules, guidelines
ORS 276.900-915
Section of the Oregon Revised Statute that provides legislative authority for SEED.
OAR 330-130
Section of the Oregon Administrative Rules, written by Energy, which implements the SEED program.
SEED Guidelines
Guidelines, written by Energy, that describes the SEED program and requirements in detail.
SEED Contact Information
Ann Hushagen
(503) 373-7804
Send email to Ann Hushagen
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SEED Guidelines
Summary of SEED program process and requirements (1-page flow chart - PDF)
SEED program process and requirements (step-by-step)
SEED toolbox
(Project notification forms, spreadsheets and other downloads)
SEED legislation
ORS 276.900-915
SEED rules
OAR 330-130
1.5% Solar for Public Buildings
Lighting
PSU's Epler Hall (pdf)
This article was reprinted, with permission, from the November 2005 issue of the DJC Commerce magazine.
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