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Posts for Climate and Sustainability

Got Clean Energy Projects? Free Program Helps Local Agencies Recoup Some Program Costs

March 2, 2026  by  Jill Dvorkin ,  Leah LaCivita
Category:  Climate and Sustainability ,  Environmental Laws and Regulations

Supported with funding from the state Climate Commitment Act, the Washington CETCAP program has helped more than 200 organizations, including King County and the Snohomish PUD install clean energy projects, unlocking hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal incentives.

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How Sustainable Landscaping Boosts Local Climate Resilience

August 13, 2025  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  Climate and Sustainability

Local governments can boost climate resilience by adopting sustainable landscaping strategies like using green infrastructure to manage stormwater runoff, installing drought-resistant landscaping, or planting wildfire-resistant trees, plants, and shrubs in fire-prone areas.

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2025 Legislation that Advances Sustainability in Washington Communities

July 7, 2025  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Cycling and Walking ,  Administration ,  Climate and Sustainability ,  Parking ,  Environmental Laws and Regulations ,  Streets and Sidewalks ,  Housing ,  Utilities ,  New Legislation and Regulations

This year's state legislative session passed bills addressing sustainability and climate action, updating the state's Clean Buildings Performance Standard, enacting extended producer responsibility, and encouraging the development of shared streets.

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

January 29, 2025  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Climate and Sustainability ,  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:  Climate and Sustainability ,  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 and Sustainability ,  Design

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 and Sustainability

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 and Sustainability

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 and Sustainability ,  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 and Sustainability ,  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 and Sustainability

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 and Sustainability ,  Parks, Recreation, and Cultural 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 and Sustainability

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 and Sustainability ,  Environmental Laws and Regulations

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 and Sustainability ,  Environmental Laws and Regulations ,  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 and Sustainability ,  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 and Sustainability ,  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 and Sustainability ,  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 and Sustainability ,  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 and Sustainability

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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