Description
Evolving and improving GHG emissions accounting methods; experience from agency progress to reduce energy and emissions; and new best practices for climate responsibility and carbon neutrality have prompted recommended updates to King County agency carbon neutrality targets established in 2015. King County will refocus the work on decarbonization and by accelerating solid waste and wastewater agency projects that reduce direct sources of GHG emissions.
King County will update the carbon neutrality approaches for solid waste and wastewater as previously detailed in Council Ordinance 179171 (2015) and the 2020 SCAP to refocus on decarbonization and to accelerate agency projects that reduce direct sources of GHG emissions. To support the updated approach, the agencies will implement additional GHG reduction actions by 2030. These will include, but are not limited to, investments in solar, construction materials, vehicles and fuel, facilities, fugitive methane and biogas, and updates to codes, including but not limited to:
- Solar installations: Implement 600 kilowatts (kW) of solar energy production by 2030 (DNRP – WTD) and 1.5 megawatts (MW) of solar by 2027 (SWD). For SWD, additionally research the feasibility of SWD generating the annual equivalent of all of agency electricity needs (about 6 MW) from solar power by 2030.
- Embodied Carbon: Accelerate implementation of SCAP commitments to reduce embodied carbon in construction materials, including by integrating specifications for low emissions recycled steel rebar for all new construction projects in 2025 (SWD).
- Electric Vehicles: Continue to transition to electric vehicles and use renewable diesel consistent with fleet commitments in 2025 SCAP.
- Decarbonization: For DNRP – WTD, exceed the SCAP’s 20 percent by 2030 fossil fuel reduction target by implementing fossil fuel reduction projects, including but not limited to condensing boiler and heat pump projects at the South Plant Treatment Plant and a heat pump project at the Brightwater Treatment Plant. For SWD, eliminate fossil fuel use at all SWD facilities for non-emergency generator purposes and use renewable diesel in all onsite generators by the end of 2026.
- Fugitive methane and biogas: Implement fugitive methane emissions and optimize biogas utilization 2025 SCAP priority actions. These actions will be the primary drivers for accelerating the agencies’ carbon reduction progress.
- Code Updates: Recognizing that related actions and commitments have been included in Council Ordinance 179171 (2015), make updates to King County code to align with implementation of this and related updated 2025 SCAP commitments.