Title
Climate Action Plan Implementation/Energy Efficiency Code Updates
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Update only. No action requested.
City Manager Recommendation:
Update only. No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Where to receive an update on implementation of the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan, building decarbonization, and considerations of equity issues.
Staff Contact:
Pamela Braff, PhD, Climate Program Manager, 360.753.8249
Presenter(s):
Pamela Braff, PhD, Climate Program Manager
Erik Jensen, Building Plans Examiner (Interim Building Official)
Background and Analysis:
In February 2021, the cities of Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, along with Thurston County accepted the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan (TCMP) as the regional framework to substantially reduce local contributions to climate change. The TCMP provides a roadmap to reduce community-wide greenhouse emissions 45% below 2015 levels by 2030 and 85% below 2015 levels by 2050.
In 2018, greenhouse gas emissions in the Thurston County region were about 3.2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e); and emissions have been increasing over time, with a 7% increase since 2015. The built environment, including the consumption of electricity and natural gas to power, heat, and cool our buildings, makes up nearly 60% of regional greenhouse gas emissions.
Key strategies for building decarbonization include:
* Supporting state-level action to generate electricity with 100% renewable sources.
* Increasing the energy efficiency of homes and businesses.
* Electrifying buildings (i.e., phasing out the use of natural gas for heating and cooking).
* Increasing the production of local renewable energy through onsite solar.
*
Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA)
In 2019, Washington State passed the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA), which sets milestones for electric utilities to transition toward a clean fuel standard. Under CETA, utilities must eliminate coal-fired...
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