Environment Top 11 in 2011

In 2011, I developed a list of environmental priorities to advance in 2011, called Environmental Top 11 in 2011 to carry out my environmental action agenda Greenprint. Here's how we faired: 

Energy Efficiency
1. Explore opportunities to help people and businesses fund green retrofits to homes and other privately owned buildings  

I asked staff to explore county government’s ability to issue tax-exempt bonds in order to offer below- market interest rates to low-moderate income households for green retrofits to their homes and privately-owned buildings. Retrofits create green jobs, reduce utility costs for families, reduce our community’s energy use and carbon emissions. Legal analysis showed that the State Constitution currently prohibits such a program.

2. Continue leadership in Climate Communities and the “Energy Works!” campaign to renew Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant funding

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. I continue to join my colleagues in asking for federal funding as there is still much more to do!

3. Join the Seattle 2030 District to promote green buildings

Join 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. Share information on building performance and collaborate for results.

4. Collaborate with the building industry to review King County’s building codes to promote energy efficiency

King County has jurisdiction over the regulations for buildings in unincorporated King County. There are opportunities to collaborate with builders to update our codes to promote greater energy efficiency in all buildings built and operated within our jurisdiction. Work is underway on this effort at the state level.

5. Require disclosure of EPA Energy Star scores for commercial and public buildings to prospective buyers, lessees, and lenders

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.

Clean Water
6. Advocate for the State 2011 Clean Water Jobs Act

The 2011 Clean Water Jobs Act was slated to create jobs, rebuild local economies, and clean up polluted waterways like Puget Sound. The Act would have imposed a per-barrel fee on petroleum products that contribute to stormwater pollution, ensuring that polluters pay their share of cleanup costs. Local governments across the state would have competed for grants funded by the fee for clean water infrastructure. I supported the Act, sponsored King County legislation in support, and wrote letters to the Legislature in support. Unfortunately the Legislature failed to enact the Clean Water Jobs Act in 2011.

7. Explore ways to reduce the use of harmful pesticides on King County property

We are exposed to pesticides through food grown with pesticides or if we use pesticide products in our homes or gardens. Toxic pesticides are linked to human cancer, nervous system impairments, poor motor function and attention span, brain development impairment. Pesticides are toxic to all insects, including beneficial insects, birds and fish; and contaminate streams, rivers, and groundwater. We reviewed current county pesticide programs and my office participated in the regional Northwest Lawn and Garden Pesticide Summit to explore a potential statewide ban on pesticide use.

8. Advocate for statewide ban on lawn fertilizers containing phosphorus

Phosphorus from lawns can cause algae blooms and harm water quality, fish habitat, and recreation in lakes and rivers. Lake Washington and hundreds of other waterways across our state are polluted from too much phosphorus. King County passed a ban on phosphorus fertilizers in 2009, which went in to effect January 2011, and I advocated for a statewide ban as well. The State Legislature and Governor Gregoire enacted the “Clean Fertilizers, Healthier Lakes and Rivers” legislation in 2011. 

Waste Reduction
9. Explore opportunities to reduce food packaging waste

Building on King County’s policy to work toward Zero Waste by 2030, and modeled after the City of Seattle’s existing policy, King County can require all food service businesses within unincorporated King County to find packaging alternatives to throw-away food service containers, cups and other products in all food service businesses - restaurants, grocery stores, delis, coffee shops and institutional cafeterias. We reviewed this issue and will continue to monitor in 2012.

Land Use
10. Continue support for City of Seattle’s EcoIndustrial District Initiative

Share government resources, specifically transit and wastewater treatment pipes and infrastructure, to help industrial and manufacturing businesses create synergies that are good for the environment and the bottom line. I supported and worked to facilitate an agreement to create a district energy system that utilizes heat from wastewater treatment pipes in Interbay.

11. Create community gardens on unused King County-owned land 

I sponsored legislation adopting King County’s Community Garden Program Implementation Plan, giving community groups access to County parcels that they can manage and cultivate for gardens. This effort built on legislation that I initiated in 2010 to accomplish this goal.