The City of Seattle just released the comprehensive Municipal Buildings Decarbonization Plan. The plan charts a course to eliminate climate pollution from fossil fuels in 176 city-owned buildings by 2042, reducing carbon emissions by 87% and energy use by 48%.
The plan identifies a strategic, cost-effective approach that focuses on replacing fossil fuel systems with clean electric alternatives when equipment reaches the end of its useful life. Implementing the plan will do more than cut emissions — it will also bolster community resiliency and address asset management needs.
“By moving our municipal buildings away from fossil fuels, we’re showing what climate leadership looks like in practice,” said Michelle Caulfield, Interim Director of the Office of Sustainability & Environment. “This transition will reduce emissions, improve air quality in our buildings, make our facilities more resilient during extreme weather and air quality events, and create local, high-paying clean energy jobs right here in Seattle.”
The plan builds on significant progress already made, including 27% and 26% reductions in energy use and climate pollution (respectively, compared to a 2008 baseline) and full decarbonization of 20 municipal buildings, including the Seattle Municipal Tower where more than 4,000 City employees work, since 2018.
The plan covers Seattle’s diverse building portfolio — libraries, community centers, fire stations, police precincts, and office buildings — totaling to about 4.7 million square feet that still use fossil fuels.
Beyond reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the plan prioritizes additional benefits, including:
- Improving indoor air quality by eliminating fossil fuel pollution
- Adding cooling capabilities to make buildings more resilient during heat waves and wildfire events
- Using the smallest capacity equipment for the intended use, thereby keeping costs down and ensuring efficient operations
- Upgrading electrical infrastructure to accommodate both building systems and EV charging
- Creating jobs and growing the local green economy
The Office of Sustainability and Environment developed the plan collaboratively with key capital departments, including Finance and Administrative Services, Seattle Parks and Recreation, Seattle Public Library, Seattle Department of Transportation, Seattle City Light, and Seattle Public Utilities. Funding for the transition will come from multiple sources over time, such as City investments, federal and state grants, and utility rebates.
The plan will ensure that City-owned facilities meet both the Seattle Energy Code, which requires upgrading to fossil fuel free equipment at replacement, and the new Building Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS), under which larger nonresidential and multifamily building owners will be required to reduce building emissions over time until reaching net-zero emissions by 2041–2050. The City is committed to leading by example in complying with BEPS and transitioning to clean energy for heating, cooling, and appliances in our own municipal buildings.
Visit OSE’s website to read the full Municipal Buildings Decarbonization Plan or learn more about Seattle’s climate initiatives.