Environment As Chair of the Transportation, Economy, and Environment Committee, I will lead the update of King County's Comprehensive Plan. I will also continue to emphasize environmental sustainability as a critical component of economic sustainability by focusing on clean water and clean energy. My Environmental Top 12 in 2012 includes: Clean Water
1. Take actions to restore Puget Sound to health
Work with governments and community organizations to restore the health of Puget Sound, including continuing King County’s efforts to complete its remaining combined stormwater overflow control projects. 2. Advocate for strengthening the federal Clean Water Act
Ask the President and Congress to reestablish Clean Water Act jurisdiction to the full scope of waters, particularly streams and wetlands, and to work in cooperation with King County and other interested organizations to resolve Clean Water Act jurisdiction issues Energy & Climate Change
3. Create a comprehensive Climate Action Plan for King County government
Develop a comprehensive action plan to achieve King County’s stated Strategic Plan goal to “reduce climate pollution and prepare for the effects of climate change on the environment, human health, and the economy.” 4. Increase opportunities for electric vehicle charging stations
Site charging stations at Park and Ride lots, and plug in to the West Coast Green Highway project, building on the work King County has done to date. 5. Continue to lobby the federal government for local grants for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects
King County has received more than $6.1 million in federal funding through Energy Efficiency Community Block Grants, and has put that money to work on energy upgrades for county facilities, helping reduce our energy use long-term, save taxpayer dollars, and create jobs for those capital improvements. There is still much more to do! 6. Build on membership in the Seattle 2030 District and President Obama’s Better Buildings Initiative for energy, water, and greenhouse gas emissions targets for King County government facilitiesKing County has joined with downtown property owners and managers, utilities, and the City of Seattle in committing to specific goals for reducing energy and water use, as well as carbon emissions for auto and freight, in King County-owned facilities. As a member of the Seattle 2030 District, we will share information on building performance and collaborate for results, as part of a nationwide commitment to invest a combined $4 billion in federal, local, and private sector energy upgrades to buildings over the next two years. 7. Require disclosure of EPA Energy Star scores for commercial and public buildings to prospective buyers, lessees, and lenders with the goal of improving energy efficiency
When consumers buy dishwashers, refrigerators, or cars, the energy requirements to operate these machines are clearly displayed at the point of purchase. Consumers looking to buy or lease buildings should have the same opportunity. King County has jurisdiction over the regulations for buildings in unincorporated King County. This initiative builds on legislation already passed by the City of Seattle mandating disclosure for buildings within the City. 8. Create solar communities to promote solar energy and provide opportunities for individuals to invest in alternative energy sources
Community solar projects allow individuals, regardless of whether they own property, to own all or part of a solar energy system that generates up to 75 kilowatts of electricity and to receive incentive payments from the state as “payback” for their investment. Groundwork for county participation in community solar projects was laid with last year’s unanimous King County Council approval of legislation on this issue. 9. Preserve solar access rights for landowners in unincorporated King County
Include language in the 2012 Comprehensive Plan Update which guarantees property owners’ right to solar access on their land. Preliminary legislation directing this approach was unanimously approved by the King County Council last year. Pollution-free future
10. Promote the marketing of toxic-free businesses and products
Help new and existing businesses become more sustainable, including phasing out toxic products in use or for sale. Join a growing coalition of environmentalists calling for state legislation eliminating cancer-causing chemicals in children’s products, and requiring makers of children’s products to identify safe chemicals and materials for their products. Land Use 12. Create new trail linkages for bicycles, pedestrians, and equestrians between the regional trail system and local points of interestPromote a new Public Benefit Rating System (PBRS) program that provides opportunities for private landowners to gain tax incentives for providing public connections between public trails and local points of interest.
Councilmembers Phillips (left) and von Reichbauer (right) join Jeremy Curts for the Hylebos Creek salmon fry release.
| 2011 Environment Highlights
Additional environmental work: Shedding “light” on green energy: Council calls on Executive to explore opportunities in community solar programs Council approves plan to protect vital salmon habitat Reducing eWaste: County Council approves legislation on disposal, recycling of electronic equipment Celebrating environmental awareness: County Council recognizes Earth Day Council adopts plan to make land available for neighborhood "farms" County Council urges passage of statewide Clean Water Jobs Act Phillips to focus on Economy, Transportation, Environment in 2011 King County Council votes to join Seattle 2030 District King County’s 2010 green accomplishments unveiled Council asks Congress to protect federal Clean Water Act from erosion Council adopts funding plan to support acquisition of Maury Island gravel site County Council approves updates to Shoreline Master Program Encouraging efficiencies, renewable energy and innovation: Council adopts County Energy Plan Council promotes trail linkages through tax incentives County, Seattle to partner in development of eco-industrial districts Council asks Congress to reauthorize energy grants, surface transportation funding Council calls on Congress to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund Phillips joins local leaders nationwide urging President Obama and Congress to continue investment in local job creation, energy efficiency Phillips supports bringing bike sharing to King County County Council increases tools for conservation King County envisions open space for the future Council encourages development of Community Gardens on County-owned land County Council joins effort to expand North Cascades National Park Climate Communities secures resources for local governments in American Clean Energy and Security Act Phillips: Orca deaths a wake up call More flexibility for farmers and incentives for urban density adopted in update of County land use policies Phillips: County to lead development of green collar jobs Farm pads now a permanent protection in Agricultural Production Districts
King County to "build green" in new government construction and major renovation King County gets early lead on Puget Sound recovery efforts Conservation and athletic fields in store for portion of Tollgate Farm "Green Cleaning:" King County to examine ways to provide environmentally friendly cleaning Council preserves options for rail and trail in historic agreement with Port to bring Eastside Rail Corridor into public ownership County plugs into next-generation hybrid vehicles "Senate should pass global warming bill" "Tap into wave of enthusiasm for a better transportation future" Urban parks, suburban camp to benefit from Conservation Future Funds Archived Articles: - County Council finds good homes for "retired" County vans
- Study calls for closer look at managing cruise ship waste in Puget Sound
- Council acts to ensure accountability of voter-approved Parks Expansion Levy funds
- Elected officials across region urge funding for repair of County's aging flood levees
- Statement from Councilmember Larry Phillips on voter approval of County park levies
- Restoration project complete, County Council approves sale of surplus property on Taylor Creek
- Snoqualmie Valley farmers get tools to protect against winter flooding
- Getting out the message on impact of water runoff from homes and businesses
- Council authorizes sale of landfill gas to energy market
- Council seeks plan for coordinated County role in clean-up of Puget Sound
- Council approves sale of old Kingdome parking lot for mixed-use housing
- Cleaning up Puget Sound: Council Town Hall to discuss collaborative efforts to save the Sound
- Voters to decide in August on levy package to maintain County parks, expand open space and trails
- County Council wants cruise ships to dump their waste at treatment plants, not into Puget Sound
- Transfer of Development Rights Agreement Preserves Habitat in Issaquah Creek Watershed
- Council Adopts New King County Flood Hazard Management Plan
- Growth Management Committee to Review Storm Response
- Council Renews King Conservation District Assessment for Natural Resource Protection and Salmon Recovery
- Statement from County Council Chair Larry Phillips on the Defeat of I-933
- Council Approves Plans for Chinook Salmon Recovery
- Council Adopts Aggressive Commitments to Reduce King County Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Council Addresses Global Warming by Approving Membership in Chicago Climate Exchange
- Council Takes a "Bird's-Eye View" on Managing Growth
- County Council Acts to Prevent Sewer Failures into Lake Union and Ship Canal
- Phillips Hails "Local" Efforts to Address Global Warming
- Phillips Calls Orca Listing a Wake up Call to Clean up Puget Sound
- Council Approves Funds to Complete Snoqualmie Forest Purchase
- Council's Ballard Town Hall to Tackle Effort to Ensure "Clean Water from Mountain to Sound"
- Review Confirms Selection of Brightwater Site
- Brightwater Project Labor Agreement Paves Way for Construction of Treatment Facility
- Council Endorses Regional Chinook Salmon Conservation Plan
- Landmark agreement new model for conservation
- Accountability, Efficiency and Ease of Use Added to Critical Areas Package
- Constantine, Phillips Applaud Senator Murray for Securing Funding for Maury Island Conservation Initiative
- Council approves Comprehensive Plan Update that Protects Character of Rural Areas, Working Farms, and Forests
- Final Funding for Snoqualmie Forest Purchase Approved by Council
- "Seeing the future for the trees," Seattle Times editorial
- "A second chance to preserve a nearby forest landscape," by Councilmember Larry Phillips, special to the Seattle Times
- Phillips Hails King County's purchase of development rights to Snoqualmie Tree Farm
- Snoqualmie Preservation Initiative Successfully Implemented
- Proposed Amendments to Comprehensive Plan Update Protect Character of Rural Areas, Working Farms, and Forests
- Phillips encouraged by federal announcement regarding salmon ESA listings, hatchery policy
- "Salmon recovery efforts must be based on science"--PI Op-Ed by Council Chair Larry Phillips and County Executive Ron Sims
- Hylebos Wetlands Aquires New Land
- 600,000 Acres of Forest Up for Preservation
- Council Moves to Protect Open Space
- Council Calls for Action to Protect Duwamish
- Council Approves Plan to Protect Salmon Habitat
- "Vote of Confidence" on Parks Levy
- Councilmembers Help Sow "Seeds for the Future"
- Council Approves Reduced Parks Levy for May 20 Ballot
- Council Debates Parks Levy
- Natural Resources, Parks and Open Space Committee Sends Parks Levy to Council
- Natural Resources, Parks and Open Space Committee to Hear Public Testimony on Parks Levy
- Easement Ensures Taylor Mountain Forest Preservation
- Rock Creek Headwaters preserved
- Council Adopts New Entrepreneurial Blueprint for King County Parks
- Council Approves "Flexibility" For Drainage and Habitat Projects
- Evergreen Forest Trust Receives Council Support
Motion Touts Benefits of "Snoqualmie Forest" Purchase - Council Continues to Support the Evergreen Forest Trust
- Council Asks Executive & Courts to Expand Use of Work Crews to Parks
- Conservation Group Names Phillips Elected Official of the Year
- Forestland Purchase Marks New-Era of Forestry in King County
- Sullivan, Phillips Target Air Pollution
|
