Seattle/King County Climate News
Robin Briggs
Seattle
The Mayor is proposing rolling back the pro-climate provisions in the commercial building Energy Code. The new commercial building codes were adopted in 2021, and are currently scheduled to come into effect on Sept. 30. But the Construction Codes Advisory Board (CCAB) is meeting on Thursday to consider substantial changes. From the meeting announcement: "The mayor’s office is evaluating striking Seattle amendments new this code cycle that make the 2021 SEC requirements for new construction more stringent than the 2021 WA State Energy Code." It is important that Seattle continue leading on the commercial building codes, to show the rest of the state what is possible. Where Seattle leads, other jurisdictions (King County, Shoreline, other cities) often follow. Also, it's hard to see how we can reduce emissions without having more stringent standards for new buildings. The CCAB will meet on Thursday May 16, 12-2pm, in a hybrid meeting. There will be an opportunity for public comment at the meeting (meeting link is here), and comments can also be emailed to jenifer....@seattle.gov.
The public comment period for the Comprehensive Plan has been extended to Monday, May 20 at 5pm. You can provide feedback via the Engagement Hub or send email to OneSeattl...@seattle.gov.
The Council Committee of the Transportation Levy met for the first time on Tuesday, and heard reports from the Move Seattle Oversight Levy Board, as well as SDOT. They also heard public comment from about 25 different people all asking for a bigger levy, with more funding for sidewalks, transit, bikes, and electrification. Councilmembers are most likely now considering amendments. Here's the schedule of meetings on the Levy:
May 21, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. (or after the Transportation Committee meeting)
May 21, 2024 (Public Hearing) 4:30 p.m.
June 4, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. (or after the Transportation Committee meeting)
June 4, 2024 (Public Hearing) 4:30 p.m.
June 18, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. (or after the Transportation Committee meeting)
July 2, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. (or after the Transportation Committee meeting)
Seattle voters are very positive on transportation, according to a new poll on the Transportation Levy from the Northwest Progressive Institute. Voters want improvements in bridges, roads, bike lanes, transit, and sidewalks, and they are willing to vote in favor of a levy bigger than what the Mayor has proposed. The Mayor has proposed a $1.45B Levy; respondents to the poll prefer either a $1.7B or even more of them prefer a $1.9B Levy with more improvements. "Go Big" seems to be their message.
Elsewhere
The Biden administration is proposing new more efficient energy standards for appliances (nytimes, paywall). Republicans in Congress are complaining that they are outlawing gas stoves and other appliances, but all they are doing is introducing new standards to make them more efficient, so they will be more expensive upfront, but use less energy and hence reduce utility bills & emissions over time.
Vermont is considering a new law to make big oil companies pay for climate damages (The Guardian). The program would be similar to the Superfund program. Last July, Vermont experienced severe flooding, causing about $1B in damages. The bill would set up a fund to pay for "climate-related impacts to Vermont’s public health, biodiversity, economic development and other damages". Vermont has a Republican governor, but supporters think that they have enough votes to override a veto.