ADVOCACY + NEWS
ENERGY CODE
The City of Seattle has led the way for advanced commercial energy code, and now other local jurisdictions are considering adopting energy codes that prohibit fossil fuel powered space and water heating in most new commercial and large multifamily buildings, including Bellingham and King County. Shift Zero members are providing technical input and advocacy support for these code upgrades.
KING COUNTY ENERGY CODE UPDATE
The King County Council will be considering commercial energy code updates in late August that would eliminate most uses of fossil fuels in commercial and large multifamily (4 stories and higher) buildings in unincorporated King County. The code changes are modeled after the energy codes Seattle passed in February.
Contact Joelle at Climate Solutions if you are interested in giving testimony in a committee hearing on August 24th or 25th, or at the full council hearing in September or October (specific dates and times to be announced). If you live or work in unincorporated King County your testimony would be especially impactful!
C-PACER COMES TO WASHINGTON
Over the last year since C-PACER was enabled by the legislature in Washington, Shift Zero members and national C-PACE experts have been working with counties considering C-PACER programs.
We are excited to share that Whatcom and Thurston counties are now the first to adopt C-PACER ordinances in Washington. Thank you to Shift Zero members Thurston Climate Action Team and NW EcoBuilding Guild for their leadership in advocating for C-PACER in Thurston County, and to Sustainable Connections for advocacy in Whatcom!
King County transmitted its C-PACER ordinance to King County Council on August 6. Shift Zero will be tracking for advocacy opportunities at Council hearings.
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ELECTRIFYING YOUR HOME? LEARN AND SHARE
Are you taking steps to electrify your home? The Western Washington Home Electrification google group is a place to share resources and questions on heat pump heating and water heating, induction stoves, photovoltaics, and anything else related to electrification retrofits. Open to all. Join here.
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WHAT WE'RE READING
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Aug 18: Home Backup Power, Electrify Now. Register.
- Aug 19: NW Ecobuilding Guild Multifamily Forum Register.
- Aug 24 and 25: Smart Buildings Exchange Conference (virtual)
- Sep 9: An Update on The Switch Is On, presented by Building Decarbonization Coalition. Register.
- Sep 16: Built Green Conference, Lynnwood, WA
- Oct 13-15 NW Ecobuilding Guild Slam & Summit. Presenter applications due by Aug 13. More info.
- Oct 22: Washington State Solar Summit, Lynnwood, WA. Register.
- Oct 27-29: Getting to Zero, New York, NY
- Ongoing: Earth Advantage's Sustainable Homes Professional training. New online, on-demand format for the entire NW region. Register.
- Ongoing: Chasing Opportunities in the Washington Energy Code, Watch the videos anytime on BetterBuiltNW’s Youtube Channel.
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