Chapter 11.10
GREENHOUSE GAS POLICY
Sections:
11.10.060 Waste reduction/use.
11.10.080 Public education/outreach.
11.10.010 Compliance.
This policy and/or procedures for greenhouse gas emission reduction are to satisfy the Washington State Public Works Board requirement and to help aid in reducing the emissions. All district personnel shall use their best efforts to comply with the following policies. [Res. 2021-11-3; Res. 2010-6-1.]
11.10.020 Public buildings.
(1) All new district publicly funded buildings should be models of cost-effective, energy-efficient design.
(2) The district will use its best efforts to conduct energy audits of district publicly owned buildings, evaluate potential conservation measures, and then carry out those measures that are appropriate. [Res. 2021-11-3; Res. 2010-6-1 § 1.]
11.10.030 Employees.
(1) The district will use its best efforts to provide public recognition of effective programs to customers and employees.
(2) The district will use its best efforts to encourage energy conservation practices in buildings by raising the awareness of employees’ own energy use. [Res. 2021-11-3; Res. 2010-6-1 § 2.]
11.10.040 Energy source/use.
The district will use its best efforts to reduce greenhouse gases by expanding the use of conservation and alternative energy sources and by reducing vehicle miles traveled. The district will also reduce the idling time of district vehicles where possible. [Res. 2021-11-3; amended during 2015 codification; Res. 2010-6-1 § 3.]
11.10.050 Equipment.
The district will use its best efforts to monitor the efficiency of the pumps in the district’s water and sewer systems, and operate and maintain them at peak efficiency. When cost-effective options are possible, the one using the least amount of energy shall be preferred.
The district will use its best efforts to consider the replacement of district items, such as but not limited to lighting and vehicles, with energy efficient and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. [Res. 2021-11-3; Res. 2010-6-1 § 4.]
11.10.060 Waste reduction/use.
(1) The district will use its best efforts to implement a solid waste strategy which: reduces the solid waste stream by recycling and other means, investigates ways to convert non-recyclable solid waste to energy, and promotes the purchase of recyclable goods.
(2) The district shall consider the use of building construction materials made from recycled and recyclable materials, where and when allowed by the building code.
(3) The district will use its best efforts to reduce GHG emissions waste through reductions in waste generation. [Res. 2021-11-3; Res. 2010-6-1 § 5.]
11.10.070 Global.
(1) The district will endeavor to reduce the rate of energy consumption through conservation and alternative energy forms to extend the life of existing facilities and infrastructures.
(2) The district will use its best efforts to maintain and, where possible, improve air and water quality, soils and natural systems to ensure the health and well-being of people, animals and plants. The district will use its best efforts to reduce the impacts of transportation on air and water quality and climate change.
(3) The district will use its best efforts to conserve natural resources such as water and open space to minimize energy used and GHG emissions and to preserve and promote the ability of such resources to remove carbon from the atmosphere. [Res. 2021-11-3; Res. 2010-6-1 § 6.]
11.10.080 Public education/outreach.
(1) The district will use its best efforts to publicize energy conservation actions to raise public awareness of the value of wise energy use.
(2) The district will use its best efforts to promote and expand recycling programs, purchasing policies, and employee education to reduce the amount of waste produced.
(3) The district will use its best efforts to place “Green Tips” and articles in billing materials or on its website. [Res. 2021-11-3; Res. 2010-6-1 § 7.]
11.10.090 Other.
(1) The district shall establish a water conservation plan that may include such policies and structures as tiered rate structures for water use.
(2) The district shall use its best efforts to place restrictions on time of use for landscape watering and other demand management strategies. The district will use its best efforts to support performance standards for irrigation equipment and water fixtures.
(3) The district will use its best efforts to support programs and policies to increase the use of recycled water, including creating an inventory of non-potable water uses within the jurisdiction that could be served with recycled water. The district will use its best efforts to promote the use of recycled water for agricultural, industrial and irrigation purposes, including grey water systems for residential irrigation. The district will support the use of treated, recycled water for potable uses where GHG emissions from producing such water are lower than from other potable sources.
(4) The district will encourage the installation of water-efficient landscapes and irrigation, including planting drought tolerant and native species, and covering exposed dirt with moisture-retaining mulch, installing water-efficient irrigation systems and devices, including advanced technology such as moisture-sensing irrigation controls. [Res. 2021-11-3; Res. 2010-6-1 § 8.]