Energy & Built Environment About
Buildings are the most rapidly growing source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Washington State. While statewide emissions have increased 10% overall since 1990, building emissions have jumped by 50%, more than any other source in our state.[5] Between 2015 and 2019, built environment emissions increased 25%.
TABLE LEGEND Co-benefits Enhance Public Health Improve Water Quality Improve Air Quality Promote Equity Provide Jobs Community Priority
The energy and built environment sector represents 34% of Pierce County’s communitywide GHG emissions. Residential homes account for 13.9%, commercial buildings 9.8%, and industrial buildings and processes account for 10.6% of total emissions. While the County’s electricity supply is predominantly clean hydropower, approximately 30% is still powered by fossil fuels. Natural gas and propane used for heating and industrial processes also contribute significant GHG emissions in this sector.
Action Identifier EBE-1 Electrify New Buildings EBE-2 Retrofit Existing Buildings EBE-3 Transit-oriented Growth EBE-4 Community Solar
Community Voice: What are we hearing from our community?
Transitioning to renewable energy, community solar projects, and increasing awareness of energy assistance programs are top community priorities. See actions EBE-4 and EBE-6.
In 2030, my sustainable community…
“[will have] lower energy bills due to sustainable products.” -Safe Streets Community Conference participant “[will have] tools and work vehicles that are not gas reliant.” -Pierce County Trails Conference participant
Actions Adopt codes and support developers as they move towards 100% electrification in new developments. Maximize energy rebates coming into Pierce County and create new, local expedited permitting for retrofitting existing homes and buildings, particularly affordable and multi-family housing, for healthy low carbon living spaces. Focus new growth in communities where high-capacity transit is available or planned. Prioritize opportunities for community solar projects that serve as demonstration projects (Purdy Landfill, Chambers Bay) and/or reduce energy burden in priority communities.
Co-Benefits
Lead Department Planning & Public Works - Building and Code Enforcement, Long Range Planning Planning & Public Works - Building and Code Enforcement, Long Range Planning Planning & Public Works - Long Range Planning Facilities, Planning & Public Works - Sustainable Resources
EBE-5 Access to Renewable Energy EBE-6 Weatherization Assistance
Eliminate barriers to the installation of renewable energy projects and achieve SolSmart silver designation by 2025. Seek new funding and improve contracting processes to expand the capacity of Pierce County’s weatherization program to serve more low-income residents.
Planning & Public Works - Building and Code Enforcement, Long Range Planning Human Services, Planning & Public Works Sustainable Resources
EBE-7 C-PACER
Expand, market and administer the Commercial Property Assessment Clean Energy + Resiliency (C-PACER) program.
Planning & Public Works - Sustainable Resources
EBE-8 Reduce Embodied Carbon
Reduce the carbon intensity of new buildings by encouraging net zero emission construction practices, such as cross laminated timber (CLT), low GHG construction materials, and designing for deconstruction. Review Land Use plans to identify specific strategies for greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Work with homebuilders to increase efficiency in new homes and create a local home energy audit program to retrofit older homes.
Planning & Public Works - Building and Code Enforcement, Long Range Planning
EBE-9 Land Use EBE-10 Energy Audits
Planning & Public Works - Long Range Planning Planning & Public Works - Sustainable Resources
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