King County offers new 'GreenTools' to help cities design and complete sustainable building projects

Cities now have a customized toolkit to help them "build greener" with King County's new GreenTools program.

"Cities of all sizes have access to a wide range of useful green-building resources through GreenTools," said King County Executive Ron Sims. "We can provide technical assistance, access to potential grant funding sources and hands-on training for cities to create green projects that are good for citizens and the environment."

The GreenTools toolkit provides a portal to useful resources, including green-building strategies, and links to green building and development certification programs.

A product of the King County Solid Waste Division, the toolkit helps cities develop their own green building programs to create sustainable, livable communities that address critical issues such as human health, solid waste reduction, climate change and habitat protection.

"We aren't creating a 'one size fits all' green building program," Sims said. "Instead, we are providing cities with the resources to jump start or enhance their own green building programs in ways that best meet their needs."

For residents considering re-models or developers building in the cities, following the recommendations and guidance provided by GreenTools will mean lower life cycle cost for buildings and developments due to energy and resource efficiency, and healthier, long lasting properties that protect the environment.

Sims was joined today by Bellevue Mayor Grant Degginger to unveil the new green toolkit at a workshop in Bellevue.

"We're extremely proud of our tradition of environmental stewardship in Bellevue, and welcome the opportunity to work with our regional neighbors to explore and put in place new technologies and practices," Degginger said. "Our communities are in a unique position to play an important leadership role in this arena, and King County's support will be integral to our success."

The kick-off event included representatives from a number of cities, the private sector and King County government representatives. The group came together to share ideas and create action plans for green building programs.

A panel of local business leaders whose companies are actively involved in sustainable practices also participated in the GreenTools kickoff. Panelists included Jim Hanna, Director of Environmental Affairs for Starbucks, Matt Galvin, Managing Partner of Pagliacci Pizza, and Tim Taylor, CEO of Environmental Home Center. The panel was moderated by acclaimed green building expert and author, David Johnston.

"At Pagliacci, we actively seek fresh ways to use less and use wisely," said Matt Galvin, Co-Owner, Pagliacci Pizza. "In addition to composting pizza boxes and food waste, we focus heavily on saving energy and water in all of our stores and are doing our part to bring 'green' power to the Pacific Northwest from local utilities. We're excited to work with communities that understand our goals as we strive to grow greener."

Sims has been advocating green building standards in King County for more than a decade. In 2005, the Metropolitan King County Council adopted a Green Building Ordinance that requires green-building practices for all buildings the county constructs, remodels or renovates.

"We see green building practices as an exciting and necessary way to address some very urgent environmental challenges," Sims said. "Addressing global warming is a top priority, and green, sustainable building and development, done collectively throughout King County and its cities will help address our environmental concerns while getting us on the path to smart growth."

For more information on GreenTools, visit www.greentools.us or call Patti Southard at 206-296-8480.

King County's Green Building Program recently awarded one of its first round Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Grants to Bellevue for the city's Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center. The $15,000 grant will be used to help develop a 12,000-square-foot building that will include a visitor's center, classrooms and labs for research and monitoring to increase understanding of slough's wetland ecosystem.