Title
Consideration of Climate Change Resolution
Recommended Action
City Manager Recommendation:
Concur with concepts outlined in the Resolution proposed by the Thurston Climate Action Team (TCAT) and express desire to work collaboratively with regional jurisdictions on greenhouse gas reduction.
(Note: The Resolution is a concept only which needs Legal review for concept and wording.)
Report
Issue:
Whether to recommend to City Council adoption of a climate change resolution prepared by the Thurston Climate Action Team (TCAT).
Staff Contact:
Rich Hoey, P.E., Public Works Director, 360.753-8495
Presenter(s):
None. Tom Crawford of Thurston Climate Action Team will be available to answer questions from the committee.
Background and Analysis:
The Thurston Climate Action Team (TCAT) is a local non-profit dedicated to creating a healthy and sustainable future for Thurston County by encouraging, coordinating and taking action on climate change. TCAT's priority areas include:
1. Energy efficiency,
2. Transportation, and
3. Developing a community greenhouse gas inventory and climate action plan for Thurston County.
On November 21, 2013, Tom Crawford, TCAT Board Member, presented TCAT's community greenhouse gas inventory for Thurston County to the Land Use and Environment Committee. The inventory establishes a 2010 baseline for regional greenhouse gas emissions based on data received from Puget Sound Energy, Thurston Regional Planning Council, Thurston County, LOTT and others.
The inventory highlights the two primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Thurston County as the built environment (building heating, cooling and lighting) and transportation (vehicle emissions). Lesser sources of greenhouse gases include solid waste, wastewater and agricultural activities. Mr. Crawford presented data broken down by jurisdiction, including City of Olympia.
TCAT has requested that the City of Olympia formally adopt a resolution accepting the greenhouse gas inventory and express a desire to collaborate with other regional municipalities on policies and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (see attached).
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
TCAT is a local non-profit expressing the interests of its members. The City has not received public comment on the inventory prepared by TCAT.
Options:
1. Recommend City Council adopt the greenhouse gas inventory resolution.
2. Recommend that City Council accept the inventory completed by TCAT and work on reducing emissions without need for a formal resolution.
3. Do not pursue resolution at this time.
Financial Impact:
None at this time.