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At a recent council meeting, some youthful visitors asked Council whether we were actively working toward a sustainable future and a reduced carbon footprint. They also asked if the city has considered solar energy programs. Puget Sound Energy is sponsoring programs in which customers can commit to buying solar energy under a long-term fixed contract that’s priced higher than fossil-fuel-generated power today but will probably be lower than fossil fuel in the future– and it helps save the planet.
I appreciated the visitors for asking the question, and I applaud their concern for our environment and our future. One of the solar programs they referred to is called the Green Direct Renewable Energy Program. It gives cities the opportunity to source their electricity from renewable energy sources (solar and wind). Customers enter into Power Purchase Agreements to purchase renewable energy, which provides certainty for development of renewable energy sources. PSE has completed two phases of the program. No new customers are currently being accepted, but we think they will expand it in the near future. When they do, I would like the City of Renton to join to get renewable energy for powering city facilities and streetlights. Residences and businesses are being offered similar programs now or in the near future.
During my 25 years on council I’ve helped with many initiatives to save energy and our environment. Our staff put some of these initiatives together in the following list:
State & Regional Collaboration
The City of Renton is a member of the King County-Cities Climate Collaboration (K4C), which includes King County and 16 partners that consist of cities and the Port of Seattle.
•Council passed Resolution 4229 supporting the Joint County-City Climate Commitments. •ESSB 5116 –State electricity supply is to be 100% carbon neutral by 2030 and carbon free by 2045.
King County and cities are partnering on:
•Outreach –to develop, refine, and utilize messaging and tools for climate change outreach to engage decision makers, other cities, and the general public.
•Coordination –to adopt consistent standards, benchmarks, strategies, and overall goals related to responding to climate change.
•Solutions –to share local success stories, challenges, data and products that support and enhance climate mitigation efforts by all partners.
•Funding and resources –to secure grant funding and other shared resource opportunities to support climate related projects and programs.
Reducing our City’s Carbon Footprint in Transportation
•City Street Light LED Conversion Program –6,458 lights converted. Reduced power usage by 4,800 MWh annually = 461 residential customers.
•City Hybrid Fleet Vehicles –18 hybrid vehicles currently.
•City Commute Trip Reduction program–promotes alternatives to reduce single-occupancy vehicles ( ORCA cards, transit, carpool, Flex-schedules).
•Transit Access –City transit centers and increasing bus routes for better access to transit.
Reducing our City’s Carbon Footprint in Utilities
•Water Utility Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) Program–eliminated the need for manually reading over 18,000 water meters.
•Pump Station Motor Replacement (7-Variable Frequency Drives)
•City Solid Waste Contractor Natural Gas Use –A fleet of 25 trucks use Natural Gas fuel to collect solid waste in the City which reduces greenhouse gases by 20-30%.
•Solid Waste Collection Frequency Change –Every other week garbage collection reduced vehicle trips.
•Solid Waste Utility Waste Prevention & Recycling Program –Recycled 27,306 tons of material.
Reducing our City’s Carbon Footprint in Community Services & Planning
•City Facilities HVAC Upgrades –Energy savings of $43,754 annually, reduced 337 tons of CO2 gases or equivalent to planting 83 trees.
•Renton Urban Forestry Program –Protects and increases the number of trees in the City that remove CO2 gases and store carbon.
•City Land Use Plan –Promotes higher densities in urban centers near transit alternatives.
City Recognition / Awards
The City of Renton was recognized as one of the “greenest” cities in Washington by Insurify.
The City was also recently recognized as a “Green Star Leader” from the Puget Soundkeeper and the Washington Environmental Council.
Click here to see the complete presentation, including the full set of solar energy and carbon-offset options
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