Climate and Sustainability Program
The Thurston County Climate and Sustainability Program is made possible
by the
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant awarded to Thurston
County. The grant program is part of the
American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act and is administered by the U.S. Department of
Energy. The Climate and Sustainability Program is an element of the
Thurston County's
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy, which calls on the
county to develop a comprehensive Climate Action Plan in two phases:
Phase 1: Government Operations
- Conduct a thorough greenhouse gas inventory of all Thurston
County government operations
- Create plans, policy changes and goals using the findings of the
greenhouse gas inventory
Phase 2: Regional Sustainability
- Conduct a greenhouse gas inventory of all emissions within
Thurston County
- Create regional plans, policy changes and goals to reduce the
region’s greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for projected future
climate change scenarios
See the
Climate and Sustainability work plan for a more specific description
of goals, objectives and timelines.
Status of Phase 1: Government Operations
- Thurston County is member
of The Climate Registry. Through
The Climate Registry the county can assure greenhouse gas measurement is
done in a manner that is accurate, transparent and verifiable.
- The
greenhouse gas inventory
of county government operations has been completed.
- Staff identified
initial cost-effective projects and policies to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and create energy savings.
- Both the Planning Commission and
the Board of County Commissioners have been briefed and continue to be
updated about greenhouse gas emissions and proposed mitigation
strategies.
- The Board of County Commissioners have
passed a resolution
outlining Thurston County’s Pathway to Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Building and lighting retrofits have begun in accordance with
Element #1
and Element #4
of the
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy.
- Primary objectives of this phase are now complete – ongoing projects
outlined in staff plans and the Pathway to Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions
will continue to be carried out by staff.
Status of Phase 2: Regional
Sustainability
- Regional inventory of Thurston County’s greenhouse gas
emissions. *in progress*
- Create a Climate Advisory Committee to
identify recommended amendments to county policy that reduce regional
greenhouse gas emissions through changes in land-use, transportation and
natural resource management. *in progress*
Next Steps:
- Brief the
Planning Commissions and Board of County Commissioners on results of the
regional greenhouse gas inventory and recommended policy amendments
- Communicate findings of greenhouse gas inventory and Climate Advisory
Committee to stakeholders and Thurston County residents
- Synchronize
and integrate county activities with existing community efforts
American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act