State Energy Efficient Design Program

Oregon's State Energy Efficient Design Program (SEED) was originally established in 1991. This program, codified in state law, directs state agencies to work with the Oregon Department of Energy to ensure cost-effective energy conservation measures are included in new construction projects and major renovations to public buildings. For leased buildings, guidelines must be established for incorporating energy efficiency requirements into lease agreements of at least 10 years, to be phased in as current leases expire or as agencies enter into new agreements. The law was revised in 2001 to require that all state facilities, constructed or renovated, after June 30, 2001 exceed the energy conservation provisions of the Oregon State Building Code by at least 20%. By 2015, existing buildings must reduce energy use by 20% compared to the building's baseline energy use in 2000.