MRSC Insight Blog

Posts for Climate Change

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.

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.

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.

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: 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.

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: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Breakdown of Compost Product Purchasing

January 4, 2023 by Josh Klika
Category: Climate Change , Purchasing and Contracting

Any agency required to adopt a Compost Procurement Ordinance must also use compost for four specified types of projects and will need to report to the state on compost-related purchases. These agencies have some options in terms of where and how to purchase the product.

Complete Streets Flourishing in Washington

November 30, 2022 by Celeste Gilman , Lisa Pool
Category: Guest Author , Cycling and Walking , Climate Change

Many Washington cities, towns, and counties have implemented complete streets programs to encourage safe access for all users, regardless of mode of transit. These programs vary from place to place, each meeting the specialized needs of local communities.

New Law Requires Compost Procurement Ordinances by January 1

November 29, 2022 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Climate Change , Purchasing and Contracting

A new state law covering organic materials management requires compost procurement ordinances for certain cities, towns, and counties by January 1, 2023. These ordinances must set forth how compost will be procured, purchased, and incorporated into applicable projects.

Parking Reform: Part 2

October 19, 2022 by Lisa Pool
Category: Climate Change , Parking , Housing

Increasingly, many local governments are shifting away from requiring too much off-street parking, citing social, economic, and/or environmental reasons. What tools can these communities use to better manage existing parking supply and to anticipate future needs?

Parking Reform Advances Climate Action, Housing Affordability, and More: Part 1

October 12, 2022 by Lisa Pool
Category: Climate Change , Parking , Housing

While parking is an important commodity for a community, too much parking can prevent the land from being used for another purpose, encourage excess car travel, and possibly make other forms of transportation, like biking or walking, both more complicated and dangerous.

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.

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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