Monthly Archives: April 2020

B5.2 Feed-in Tariffs Offer feed-in tariffs to incentivize solar projects. Feed-in tariffs – and the similar policy of “production incentives” – are guaranteed prices that producers of renewable energy receive for each kilowatt hour (kWH) of electricity they generate. Successful … Continue reading →

W2.10 Water reuse Develop a water reuse program for water conservation on site. Provide technical assistance and incentives, such as free rain barrels, to gather water and use on site (e.g., rain barrels for irrigation). Orbital Systems’ shower, inspired by … Continue reading →

T2.__ Reduce local delivery emissions Last mile delivery accounts for roughly half the costs of getting goods from manufacturers to the door. Recent research in Seattle concluded that cruising for a parking space occupied about 28% of the median delivery … Continue reading →

W2.13 Combined sewer Separate combined sewer and stormwater system. Start with feasibility study and follow through on findings. According to the City’s 2019 Wastewater Management Plan, 56% of Olympia’s Central Wastewater Basin downtown is a combined system; so are 8% … Continue reading →

W1.4 Gravity sewer Study the energy efficiency and cost impacts of gravity sewers versus STEP systems. As needed, introduce programs, regulations, and/or incentive programs. According to Olympia’s 2019 Wastewater Management Plan, which is about to be adopted, the city has … Continue reading →

W4.9 Organics collection (See W4.1 Residential composting) Require food waste pickup at residential and commercial buildings to reduce landfill methane. Compliment with an ordinance that restricts compostables from going into the garbage and has a fining structure to enforce.

W4.10 Waste Less Food program * Expand Thurston County’s “Waste Less Food” program. The program has a website.

B3.1 Energy education * Provide educational resources and technical assistance to industry professionals, building owners and managers on all aspects of energy efficient building design, retrofits, and operations for new and existing buildings. Providing energy education and technical assistance is … Continue reading →

B4.9 Permit counter technical assistance * Hire or contract with dedicated green building specialists to provide technical assistance through the permitting and development process. Municipalities can increase the success of green building projects, and incentivize more green building development, by … Continue reading →

B2.10 Energy project grants Secure grant funding for high-profile, innovative energy efficiency and/or technology projects on commercial buildings in the county. Grants help make innovative energy efficiency or clean energy technology projects economically feasible by offering a direct subsidy that … Continue reading →