Beat the Heat with Heat Pumps

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

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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Responding to Sea Level Rise: A Multijurisdictional Approach to Protecting Downtown Olympia

August 8, 2022  by  Sarah Doar
Category:  Climate Change ,  Interlocal Cooperation

With a history of flooding and concerns about sea level rise due to climate change, Olympia has teamed up with other jurisdictions to address this potential challenge and safeguard vital services.

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Agencies Relate Successes, Challenges to VMT Reduction

May 16, 2022  by  Alon Bassok
Category:  Climate Change ,  Transportation and Land Use ,  New Legislation and Regulations ,  Guest Author

Across the state, local governments have been looking at how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing vehicle miles traveled in their communities. This blog looks at some successful strategies and common challenges. 

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Tapping the Power of Emerging Leaders for Climate Resilience

April 19, 2022  by  Kif Scheuer ,  Mackenzie Bolger
Category:  Climate Change ,  Leadership ,  Guest Author

CivicSpark is a service program that pairs talented young adult Fellows with local governments, state agencies, Tribes, and nonprofits to tackle climate-related projects, research, and programs. It is expanding to Washington State and accepting applications for the 2022-23 year. 

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New Resources Help Local Governments Reduce Climate Impacts, Build Resilient Communities

February 17, 2022  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  Climate Change ,  MRSC News and Updates

All across Washington State local governments are wondering how they can better prepare their communities for the negative impacts of climate change. Now, we are offering more tools and resources to push these efforts forward.

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State Seeks Input on Its Vehicle Miles Traveled Reduction Strategy

January 27, 2022  by  Celeste Gilman
Category:  Climate Change ,  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Guest Author

The State of Washington is seeking input from local governments across the state as it works to establish reduction targets for local vehicle miles traveled and other proposed programs in order to meet key climate action targets.
 

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New Interactive Map, Webpage Highlight Local Climate Plans

January 14, 2022  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  Climate Change ,  MRSC News and Updates

As part of its Local Climate Response Project, MRSC is pleased to unveil a new webpage featuring an interactive map and detailed information about specialized planning efforts being taken by local governments across Washington State. 

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Investing in Equity To Prepare for Environmental Challenges

January 6, 2022  by  Tracy Burrows ,  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Climate Change ,  Inclusive Communities

Some Washington local governments have placed equity front and center when preparing for the impacts of climate change. This blog looks at efforts in Lakewood and Shoreline.

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Green Building Incentives that Work: Follow the Roadmap

January 4, 2022  by  Chris van Daalen
Category:  Climate Change ,  Tools for Planners ,  Guest Author

This guest blog introduces the Zero Carbon Buildings Policy Toolkit, a free resource available to help cities, towns, and counties understand and apply green building incentives in their communities.

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To Reduce Greenhouse Gases, Consider Buildings

December 16, 2021  by  Deepa Sivarajan
Category:  Climate Change ,  Guest Author

In this blog, guest author Deepa Sivarajan discusses why local governments should add building electrification to their toolkit when looking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their jurisdiction. 

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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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More Climate-Related Legislation for 2021

October 14, 2021  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Climate Change ,  New Legislation and Regulations

The 2021 legislative session produced several bills on issues related to the changing climate. This blog discusses a few, including bills that focus on reducing pollution statewide, encouraging alternative fuel use, and promoting greener commuting options. 

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MRSC Releases Results of Local Government Climate Response Survey

October 12, 2021  by  Jill Dvorkin
Category:  Climate Change ,  MRSC News and Updates

MRSC's Local Climate Response Project surveyed local government staff about their agency's concerns and actions related to climate change, and the results are available in this blog.

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2021 Climate-Related Legislative Outcomes

September 10, 2021  by  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Climate Change ,  New Legislation and Regulations

As Washington State looks to become carbon neutral by 2050, the 2021 legislative session produced several bills that will facilitate the state's efforts. 

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Disaster Zone: Heat Waves in the Pacific Northwest

July 26, 2021  by  Eric Holdeman
Category:  Climate Change ,  Emergency Management ,  Guest Author

Heatwaves in the Pacific Northwest? This blog looks at a possible future where this is the norm, not the exception. 

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MRSC Tackles Big Challenges Through Its Local Climate Response Project

July 15, 2021  by  Tracy Burrows
Category:  Climate Change ,  MRSC News and Updates

MRSC is launching the Local Climate Response Project this month to help local governments protect the health and economic vitality of their communities.

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Meeting the Challenge of Washington’s New Clean Buildings Standard

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

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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Climate Change: What Can Local Governments Do?

October 8, 2020  by  Jill Dvorkin
Category:  Climate Change

This blog explains the basic elements of a Climate Action Plan, provides examples, and shares some of the many resources related to climate policy.

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Looking at Sustainability in Snoqualmie

April 26, 2016  by  Jill Sterrett
Category:  Climate Change ,  Guest Author

A history of sustainability in the city of Snoqualmie.

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Game Changing: Local Planners Rising to Meet Global Challenges

March 17, 2015  by  Jill Sterrett
Category:  Climate Change ,  Guest Author

In my article last October, I talked about Climate Change in the news and some of the actions that planners in the Washington Chapter of American Planning Association are taking to plan for the changes that Washington will face.  Today, I’d like to update you on our progress and talk about the upcoming National Planning Conference.

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Sea Level Rise: A Challenge for Washington’s Coastal Communities

April 28, 2014  by  Carol Tobin
Category:  Climate Change

Coastal communities throughout the world face significant challenges with rising sea levels. Increases in atmospheric temperatures cause ocean water to expand and land ice to melt. Rising sea levels coupled with ...

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