Seattle/King County Climate News 4.24.22
Robin Briggs
The United States Coast Guard ruled that any new fixed bridges over the Ship Canal must be high enough to accommodate superyachts; this means they must allow for at least 205 vertical feet of clearance, or 70 feet higher than the Aurora Bridge. This will affect the Sound Transit Ballard line, the Ballard Bridge replacement, and the replacement for the Salmon Bay rail bridge. This is after comments from stakeholders, including the Port of Seattle and the National Marine Trade Org., who want to host superyacht service facilities in Seattle. For the Link, this may make a tunnel to Ballard the cheapest option.
Earth Day passed without the Mayor making any kind of Earth Day announcement, although there was an opening of the Miller Community Microgrid, which was started by Mayor Durkan, and of course, the photo op with President Biden. However, no substantive policy announcements were made.
King CountyKing County and Executive Dow Constantine will host a K4C Elected Official Town Hall May 10th at 4pm, so residents can hear about the recent work of the K4C and the region's approaches to addressing the climate crisis. Register here.
Puget Sound Regional CouncilThe Regional Transportation Plan was adopted by the Transportation Policy Board, and it will go before the Executive Committee, probably on April 28. Amendments adopted 4/14 include:
Work to model and develop steps for how to meet the goal of 50% reduction in emissions by 2030 passed by unanimous vote. Staff has begun soliciting data from reporting agencies, but has no estimate for when the modeling will be completed.
Increase capacity to analyze resilience and environmental justice impacts (possibly hire more staff)
Update the Active Transportation Plan with a goal of closing existing gaps, develop performance measurements for all-ages trails, and add trails as a "big idea" for the future
The Transportation Board voted down some stronger proposals, including these:
Aspirational goal to make each set of projects in a funding round be carbon neutral.
Require a Safe Systems approach on funded projects, and require all ages & ability for funded bike paths.
Require funded projects to show that they would reduce vehicle miles travelled.
Great article on all this by Ryan Packer in the Urbanist.
This is likely not the end of the story, as PSRC President Claudia Balducci has signaled that she will bring amendments to the Plan before the Executive Board for their April 28 meeting.
Washington StateThe Washington Building Code Council passed a new stricter commercial energy code that requires efficient electric heat pump for most space and water heating. The new codes also will bring more energy efficiency and rooftop solar. The Council will next turn its attention to the residential energy code, starting this fall.