Author Archives: Thad Curtz

T1.3 Ecodistricts * Oakland EcoBlock project – Daniel Kammen (UC Berkeley) Various resources for the project, including a detailed technical analysis of the proposal, are publicly available. Phase 2 of the project, the conversion of an entire block in Oakland … Continue reading →

(The Victoria Transport Institute maintains the Online Transportation Demand Management Encyclopedia, “a comprehensive source of information about innovative management solutions that result in more efficient use of transportation resources.”) T2.1 Traffic analysis Incorporate greenhouse gas emissions calculations into traffic impact … Continue reading →

T1: Set land use policies that support efficient transportation networks. T1.1a Urban infill incentives Evaluate impact fees and connection charges that if reduced or waived would generate more development where transit services already exist. T1.1b Coordinated long term planning for … Continue reading →

T1: Set land use policies that support efficient transportation networks. T1.1 Urban infill Increase local government incentives (e.g., tax credits and fee waivers) to make urban infill and redevelopment projects more viable financially. T1.2 Middle-density housing Expand middle- and higher-density … Continue reading →

B6.2 Electric appliances in new construction Municipal code to require electric appliances in new construction. The 2018 State Energy Code, which went into effect in February 2021, includes a number of  provisions incentivizing electric heat pump space and water heating, … Continue reading →

B4.1 Shift from natural gas to electric appliances Educate business owners and residents on the options for electric appliances, such as furnaces, water heaters, and more, as well the importance of pairing electrification with the installation of renewable energy. Rebates … Continue reading →

Chapter 4 – 7. Goal: Prepare local residents for green collar job opportunities Step one toward creating green collar job opportunities is a commitment to enhance demand for energy services such as building retrofits and solar installations. These services not … Continue reading →

B5.1 Allow stricter local residential building codes As I read RCW 19.27.060(1)(a) and RCW 19.27.074(1)(b) local amendments to the State residential & multifamily requirements must be approved by the State Building Code Council. Currently, State law allows local jurisdictions to … Continue reading →

B7.1 Workforce development Look for opportunities to link clean-energy companies with area schools that provide students vocational training. B7.2 Public Power Transition to a publicly owned power utility district. B7.3 Climate Impact Fee Evaluate and, if feasible, implement a regional … Continue reading →

For quite a while, it was clearly better for the environment to burn natural gas directly for heat and cooking here than to burn it relatively inefficiently in a remote power plant, lose some of the electricity in transmission and … Continue reading →