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Posts for Energy Resources and Conservation

A Local Government’s Role in Regulating Battery Energy Storage Systems

January 29, 2025  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Energy Resources and Conservation ,  Development Regulations and Zoning

With the growing use of battery energy storage systems (BESS), more public and private operators will want to locate these systems in Washington. What can cities and counties learn from Sumner, Arlington, and other early adopters of BESS regulations?

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Battery Energy Storage Systems – Coming Soon to Your Community?

January 22, 2025  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Energy Resources and Conservation ,  Development Regulations and Zoning

Battery energy storage systems offer new ways to store electrical power, and their modular nature means they can be configured to meet many uses. Local governments should determine how to incorporate such facilities into their existing land use codes and regulations.

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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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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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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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Beat the Heat with Heat Pumps

September 7, 2022  by  Lou Finazzo
Category:  Guest Author ,  Climate Change ,  Energy Resources and Conservation

Some local governments are turning to high-efficiency, electric-powered heat pumps as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including developing programs that incentivize homeowners to install them in their place of residence. 

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New Legislation, Guidance Targets a Green Energy Future in Washington

August 22, 2022  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Climate Change ,  Energy Resources and Conservation ,  New Legislation and Regulations

In a push to carbon neutrality, Washington State agencies and the legislature have put in place laws and mandates designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in buildings, invest in transportation alternatives, reduce waste, and expedite the approval of green energy projects.  

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Local Governments Take Innovative Approaches To Prepare For Electric Vehicles

March 17, 2022  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Climate Change ,  Energy Resources and Conservation

As electric vehicle use increases across Washington State, local governments are looking at ways to support, and even encourage, their use.

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New Program Supports Transition To Cleaner Vehicle Fleets

November 15, 2021  by  Melinda Spencer
Category:  Climate Change ,  Energy Resources and Conservation ,  New Legislation and Regulations

Local governments wanting to switch to cleaner, zero-emissions car fleets now have a new resource to consult, the Green Transportation Program. 

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Meeting the Challenge of Washington’s New Clean Buildings Standard

March 4, 2021  by  Bonnie Frye Hemphill
Category:  Guest Author ,  Climate Change ,  Design ,  Energy Resources and Conservation

This blog post will provide an overview of the New Clean Building Standard and how it applies to your publicly owned buildings. 

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Alternative Fuel Requirement Deadline Fast Approaching

May 3, 2018  by  Lynn Nordby
Category:  Energy Resources and Conservation

Effective June 1, 2018, all local government subdivisions are required to satisfy 100% of their fuel usage for operating publicly owned vessels, vehicles, and construction equipment from electricity or biofuel. This blog post looks at the legislation, requirements, and options.

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Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: To Charge or Not to Charge?

November 12, 2014  by  Flannary Collins
Category:  Energy Resources and Conservation

Can local governments allow employees and members of the public to charge their personal electric vehicles without a fee or provide other electric charging benefits?

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