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Posts for Climate Change

Leases: A Critical Tool for Clean Buildings Act Compliance

November 13, 2024  by  Nicole DeNamur ,  Erik Jennings
Category:  Guest Author ,  Climate Change ,  Design ,  Energy Resources and Conservation

The 2019 Clean Buildings Act creates performance standards for energy and water use in buildings. Building owners, including public agencies, can leverage lease agreements to support compliance with the law, reduce risk, and delineate landlord/tenant responsibilities.

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Local Government Initiatives for Green Buildings in Washington: Policies, Codes, and Incentives

October 23, 2024  by  Inonge Mubita
Category:  Guest Author ,  Climate Change

In Washington, the buildings sector is the state's second-biggest carbon polluter behind transportation, accounting for more than a quarter of statewide greenhouse gas emissions. How are local governments encouraging the development of green buildings to reduce emissions locally?

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Indoor of a green building under construction

Advancing Green Buildings: Washington’s Clean Buildings Law and Green Building Practices Local Governments Can Adopt - Part 1

October 14, 2024  by  Inonge Mubita
Category:  Guest Author ,  Climate Change

Since residential and commercial buildings account for 27% of statewide greenhouse gas emissions in Washington State, many local governments are implementing green building programs as part of a larger effort to reduce emissions and build healthier local communities.  

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Tax-Exempt Entities: New Source of Funding Available for Clean Energy Projects

October 2, 2024  by  Alison Benge ,  Stacey Crawshaw-Lewis
Category:  Guest Author ,  Climate Change ,  Energy Resources and Conservation ,  Federal Funding

Local governments that undertook clean energy projects may be able to recoup some project costs through clean energy federal tax credits. Thanks to 2022 federal legislation, these credits are now available to certain tax-exempt entities as direct, elective payments. 

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Team works together to collect data and make a wildfire plan

Is Your Community Ready for a Wildfire?

June 17, 2024  by  Guy Gifford
Category:  Guest Author ,  Climate Change ,  Emergency Management ,  Fire Protection

Which neighborhoods are most at risk for wildfire in your community? What are the priority actions your local government should take and where should these be concentrated? Developing a community wildfire protection plan can help an agency answer these questions.

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A woman sits on a bench in the hot sun

Adapting to Extreme Heat: Can Cities Prepare for a Hotter Future?

May 15, 2024  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Climate Change

Global temperatures are projected to warm by 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit by 2050, raising the risk for heat-related illness and death to occur. Some cities and counties are making plans to keep communities safe and taking action to mitigate heat-related impacts.

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Local Government-Supported Urban Agriculture Adds Equity and Climate Change Benefits for the Public

May 1, 2024  by  Alicia Bones
Category:  Climate Change ,  Programs ,  Inclusive Communities

Urban agriculture is more than just raising fruits and vegetables in a city setting: It can bring new economic opportunities, act as a small business incubator, be a source of fresh and healthy produce in food deserts, and reduce a community's greenhouse gas emissions. 

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Tree on stack of silver coins and hand filling glass jar with coins

Implementation Strategies for Climate Action and Sustainability Plans, Part 2

October 31, 2023  by  Michael Incorvaia
Category:  Guest Author ,  Climate Change

The Inflation Reduction Act (2022) funds infrastructure projects focused on clean energy and climate resilience through tax credits. With a total of $47 billion available to local governments, even the smaller funding programs established through the Act are significant.

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A thermometer showing a temperature of 100+ against a background of an urban street

New Report Outlines How to Save Lives from Extreme Heat

August 7, 2023  by  Zach Kearl
Category:  Climate Change ,  Environmental Policy and Management

Written by a guest author with the University of Washington's Climate Impacts Group, local governments now have a new resource to call on for ideas on how to protect communities during extended periods of extreme heat. 

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Several small images suggesting environmental and pollution prevention laws against the word 2023

New Legislation Related to Climate and the Natural Environment

July 27, 2023  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Climate Change ,  Environmental Policy and Management ,  New Legislation and Regulations

In 2023, state legislators passed several bills addressing environmental concerns, including new climate elements for comprehensive planning, making impact fee revenue available for new bike and pedestrian facilities, and an optional permit process for clean energy projects. 

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A vendor stall at an outdoor market featuring produce, cut flowers, and potted plants

Planning for Local Food Systems: A Whatcom County Case Study, Part 2

June 1, 2023  by  Lisa Pool ,  Ali Jensen
Category:  Guest Author ,  Planning ,  Climate Change ,  Inclusive Communities ,  Public Participation

After extensive planning and community engagement, Whatcom County is developing a comprehensive local food system plan. See Part 2 of the series on the plan's development and lessons learned.

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A close up of rows of berries at the Whatcom County Farmer's Market

Planning for Local Food Systems: A Whatcom County Case Study, Part 1

May 22, 2023  by  Lisa Pool ,  Ali Jensen
Category:  Guest Author ,  Climate Change ,  Development Regulations and Zoning ,  Rural Uses

What is a local food system plan and why would a local government want to develop one? Whatcom County is one of a few local governments statewide developing such a plan, and county staff share insight into the process. 

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Many hands in a multitude of colors surround and stretch towards the earth

Centering Equity in Climate Plans and Programs

May 17, 2023  by  Helen Ippolito
Category:  Guest Author ,  Climate Change ,  Inclusive Communities ,  Public Participation

As new legislation (HB 1181) has added equity components to the Growth Management Act, it is essential to understand what climate equity means and how it is successfully being carried out by local governments across the state.

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A thermometer showing a temperature of 100+ against a background of an urban street

Protecting Communities When the Heat Is On

May 10, 2023  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Climate Change ,  Inclusive Communities

How can local agencies prepare for extreme heat events, including protecting those populations most vulnerable to heat-related illnesses and death? By looking carefully at how heat impacts various neighborhoods, an agency can take a variety of approaches to maximize services. 

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Stack of wooden blocks with green images of net-zero and other climate actions

Implementation Strategies for Climate Action and Sustainability Plans, Part 1

March 29, 2023  by  Jill Dvorkin
Category:  Climate Change

Local governments have been using various strategies to help implement their climate action and sustainability plans, including working with community partners, tracking progress on climate-related goals, and engaging residents through educational programs and incentives.

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View of a little public park with trees and greenery along Seattle's city hall exterior

For More Equitable and Livable Cities, Consider Trees

March 27, 2023  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  Climate Change ,  Forests and Trees ,  Inclusive Communities

As cities and other urban areas in Washington State continue to grow and change, an urban forestry management plan can provide a coordinated, long-term vision for managing the urban tree canopy to ensure the continued livability of local communities.

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Integrating Best Available Science: New Tools for Land Use Planning & Emergency Management

February 22, 2023  by  Tricia Sears
Category:  Guest Author ,  Climate Change ,  Emergency Management

The state's Washington Geological Survey is offering new and updated resources to help local governments integrate the best available science into their land use planning and emergency management efforts. 

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Shows a fleet of mid-sized electric vehicles being charged at a public charging station

Tips for Transitioning Fleet Vehicles to Electric

February 15, 2023  by  Tracy Burrows
Category:  Climate Change ,  Energy Resources and Conservation

Electric vehicle (EV) fleets can help an agency save money and meet greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, but transitioning fleets to EVs will be a major undertaking. It helps to start small and to pair the program with the build out of local EV charging infrastructure.

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An image of 3 people at a recycling center sorting out types of recycled material

Local Governments Pursue Zero-Waste Measures

February 1, 2023  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Climate Change ,  Utilities

Zero-waste measures for local governments run the gamut from multi-year materials management projects to consumer education on how to recycle or compost properly. The end goals are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and responsibly manage public resources.

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Map of Washington State showing how frequency of days reaching a humidity index over 90 degrees might change from 2050-2079

A New Climate Planning Tool for Local Governments

January 18, 2023  by  Matt Rogers
Category:  Guest Author ,  Climate Change

The online tool, Climate Mapping for a Resilient Washington, is a compilation of the best existing climate projection information for the state and includes information on state-specific climate hazards such as reduced snowpack, sea level rise, flooding, and more. 

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