Port Angeles – City Featured In National Publication (November 4, 2011)

The City of Port Angeles Water Division, Water Efficiency Program, is the cover story in the November issue of Municipal Sewer & Water Magazine.

Pierce County – Drug Court Uses Skype to Connect with Participants (October 4, 2011)

Pierce County Drug Court is incorporating the use of Skype internet technology to the Review Hearing process for participants who attend inpatient drug and alcohol treatment outside of Pierce County.

Mercer Island – Electric Vehicles Coming for National Plug In Day (October 5, 2011)

City Maintenance Director James Mason and the Mercer Island Green Ribbon commission have coordinated with Plug In America to host a regional National Plug In Day event in the North Parking Lot of Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island. The event will take place from 12:00pm to 3:00pm on Sunday, October 16 and is the only one of its kind in Washington State. The public is encouraged to stop by, ask questions, and invite family and friends.

Ridgefield – City Promotes Local Businesses (October 4, 2011)

The City of Ridgefield announced today a new initiative called ShopsQA to promote local business to its citizens. The service provides local businesses with a link on the City’s website that directs the public to new webpages designed and updated by each local business.

Federal Way – Volunteers Put Wayward Shopping Carts in Their Place (October 5, 2011)

Federal Way retailers saved over $480,000 in assets from shopping carts returned by the Police Department’s volunteer Cart Recovery Team. The team’s five volunteers were recognized at Tuesday’s Council meeting for their contribution to keeping Federal Way beautiful.

Clark County – Energy Conservation Investments (September 21, 2011)

Vancouver, WA — Clark County’s audit of its 2009 investment in energy conservation shows that the goal of reducing the county’s energy consumption is being met. The audit also confirms that the goal of achieving these energy savings with no net cost to the County also appears to be on track.

In 2008, commissioners approved an $8 million investment in more efficient lighting, improved heating/ventilation systems, and the addition of solar technology impacting eleven buildings. The project was financed through a 20 year capital lease with debt payments from the energy savings, rebates, and operational savings.

The audit contains two recommendations: to better monitor that the anticipated savings were in fact achieved; and to provide the BOCC with a more complete financial impact analysis when such projects are being proposed.

The audit found that the County relied on incomplete energy savings reports from the contractor without independent review. The audit also found that, while the project as presented to the Board was self financing as a whole, the payback of the various components varied significantly and could have been more explicitly identified before approval.

County Auditor Greg Kimsey stated: “We support the County’s initiative to reduce carbon emissions, but hope that any further investment(s) in this area will be subject to more extensive analysis and monitoring to ensure expectations are met.”

The full report is available at www.clark.wa.gov/auditor/audit/audreports.html or by calling 397-2310.

Issaquah – Home to One of the Most Energy-Efficient Fire Stations in the World (September 23, 2011)

Issaquah is now home to one of the most energy-efficient fire stations in the world.

Issaquah Plugs in Energy-Saving zHome, Leader in ‘Green’ Living (September 13, 2011)

The steeply angled roofs and street-side rain garden attract attention to the townhouses along Northeast High Street.

The effect is deliberate, because the 10-townhouse complex, called zHome, is designed to encourage people to explore and rethink notions about “green” living. The project is the first carbon-neutral and zero-energy multifamily community in the United States.

Spokane County – Build Regional Spokane (August 25, 2011)

How many times have citizens called city and county offices only to be referred to another office? This happens quite often in Spokane County as I’m sure it does in all cities and counties throughout the state and the country.

Federal Way – Town Hall Goes Virtual

Got a great idea for Federal Way but can’t make the public meeting? There’s an app for that.