Seattle/King County Climate News
Robin Briggs
Seattle
The Land Use and Sustainability Committee is meeting April 29 at 9:30am to discuss the Climate Action Plan, the confirmation of Lylianna Allala as Director of the Office of Sustainability and Environment, and the work undertaken by the department.
The Ave in the UDistrict will be carfree for three Saturdays in May and June. "This pilot program will test out how University Way (popularly known as The Ave) would function if it were fully pedestrianized."
The City announced that it will add a dedicated bus lane to the most congested areas on Denny Way, which should help address one of the slowest bus routes im the region, the "Late 8". Transportation workers will start the project in May, but pause for the World Cup, and finish work in August.
Sound Transit
Transportation Choices Coalition is hosting a town hall on The Future of Light Rail in Seattle on May 5 at the Seattle City Hall, 6-7:30pm. Here's a description from TCC:
Sound Transit is navigating a critical phase in determining what the future of light rail will look like. Following announced cost overruns of around $35 billion for the long-range plan, the agency is reassessing how to deliver the transit system voters approved while facing real financial and logistical challenges. Big decisions will need to be made by Sound Transit Board members that will affect completing the West Seattle and Ballard Link extensions, and the Graham Street Station.
Come learn what is on the table from King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, and Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss. The Town Hall will feature a brief presentation from Sound Transit on the Enterprise Initiative and a moderated panel discussion and then an open Q&A. The event will be moderated by TCC Executive Director, Kirk Hovenkotter.
State
For the fourth year in a row, the State declared a statewide drought emergency due to extremely low snowpack. The state got enought precipation (104% of normal), but most of that fell as rain instead of snow. Seven of the past 10 years have had drought in parts or all of the state.
Thurston County and Olympia both passed forms of the Home Energy Score policy, to allow potential home owners to get more information about energy improvements in properties for sale.
Elsewhere
Energy price shocks from the Iran war are hitting the whole world, and this has cascading effects. Some places are accelerating a push to clean energy. The UK government will now require heat pumps and solar panels in all new homes. France is doubling state aid for electrification. Some coutries, like Canada, France, Ireland and Germany are suspending or reducing gas taxes in an effort to reduce costs for citizens.
Merino Energy is a startup that has just entered the heat pump market, with an all-in-one heat pump for $3800. It's a wall-mounted unit that can be plugged into an ordinary 120V electrical outlet. It can be installed in one hour. It is for smaller places, and is currently available only in California.