Description
Energy use in County facilities has significant environmental impacts by increasing the demand for energy production and infrastructure. It also leads to higher operating costs due to utility bills. King County will continue taking bold steps to reduce electricity use and meet future energy reduction goals.
Specifically, King County will require agencies to take four key actions. First, all capital projects with energy components will need to apply for utility rebates, as available. Second, all capital projects with energy components will need to conduct a life-cycle cost assessment of alternatives, include an all-electric alternative, and quantify the social cost of carbon. Third, agencies will need to actively pursue lifecycle cost effective projects that reduce energy, water use, and/or increase solar energy generation, and will need to incorporate this information in budget discussions and investment opportunities consistent with SCAP goals (e.g. fossil fuel reduction) that are not lifecycle cost effective.
Fourth, agencies that own and manage facilities will develop Energy Management Plans (EMPs) and complete facility resource audits. All mechanically heated or cooled County buildings over 10,000 sq. ft. shall complete resource audits and EMPs the meet the intent of state and city building energy and emissions performance standards by the end of 2030 and update such EMPs at least every five years. The resource audits are to be used to guide future energy and water investments and shall detail cost-effectiveness information for all identified behavioral and equipment retrofit efficiency actions in each impacted facility. Per King County Ordinance 16927, conduct a level II energy audit for facilities at which capital projects valued over $250,000 are planned that impact any portion of the mechanical or lighting system, if such an audit has not been completed within the previous seven years. Additionally, King County will continue to develop governance structures and measurement frameworks for emerging technologies, such as AI, to reduce the environmental impacts of County use of such tools.
King County capital projects and facilities management must continue to follow requirements and standards established before the 2025 SCAP. These more detailed enterprise requirements are outlined in the Appendix: 2025 SCAP Operational Guidelines.