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AN ORDINANCE relating to achieving greater energy efficiency as well as reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in capital improvement projects; and adding a new section to K.C.C. chapter 4.16.
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STATEMENT OF FACTS:
1. Local governments have an essential role in addressing climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
2. King County's Comprehensive Plan recommends that the county seek to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions from all facets of its operations and actions associated with construction and management of county-owned facilities, energy supply infrastructure, land use planning, transportation, and environmental protection programs.
3. Energy costs and environmental goals require that the county continuously increase its energy efficiency and work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
4. The King County Comprehensive Plan calls on King County to work with utilities to become a model of energy efficiency in facilities owned or operated by King County.
5. The King County Comprehensive Plan recommends King County foster the development and increased use of clean, renewable and alternative fuel and energy technologies.
6. Powered equipment in county facilities can be a source of carbon emissions from county operations, and the cost to operate equipment powered by fossil fuels could increase if federal legislation establishes a tax or cap on carbon emissions.
7. Increasing the energy efficiency of powered equipment in county facilities can reduce energy usage and the quantity of greenhouse gasses released into the environment.
8. Procuring or producing renewable energy can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
9. Although there can be an additional cost to improving the efficiency of powered equipment or producing or procuring renewable energy, the additional project cost may be offset by financial incentives offered by utility companies or by the reduction in operating costs.
10. Utility companies offer financial incentive...
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