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City of Seattle Blog

Helping Residents Ditch Dirty Oil

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Mayor Durkan recently introduced legislation aimed at accelerating Seattle’s conversion of Seattle’s homes that burn oil for heat to cleaner electric heating. This legislation is a key tool to help us reduce our climate impacts. Oil is one of the most expensive and polluting forms of home heating the urgency of the climate crisis requires us to act swiftly and to take these bold steps in order to preserve our quality of life.

Converting Seattle’s oil heated homes to clean electricity is expected to reduce Seattle’s climate emissions by 433,000 metric tons over 10 years. That is the equivalent of taking nearly 90,000 passenger cars off the road for a year!

The legislation supports the phase out of home heating oil to more energy-efficient and clean heating and cooling systems by 2028 through the following:

  • an excise tax on heating oil starting July 1, 2020 on heating oil providers
  • a requirement for heating oil tank owners to decommission or upgrade all existing underground oil tanks by 2028.

Revenue from the tax will provide grants to low-income households to fully fund upgrades to heat pumps, expand Seattle’s existing rebate program to non-low-income households, and support oil service providers with workforce training needed to help them transition to heat pump installation services.

More info:
Frequently Asked Questions
Briefing of the Sustainability & Transportation Committee – 8/16. Presentation starts at 1:21 mark.

Updating Seattle’s Food Action Plan

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In 2012, the City released the first Food Action Plan, a 5-year road-map to increasing food security, strengthening urban agriculture and local food economies, and reducing food waste. We’ve collectively made progress on many of the Plan’s recommendations, but, as we all know, the challenges of food insecurity and an unsustainable food system remain.

To reflect the changes in Seattle’s food system and create better alignment with the community and our key partners, OSE is launching an update to the Food Action Plan. Work on this is starting now and will continue through summer of 2020. There will be several opportunities for the public to engage in the update of the Seattle Food Action Plan.

Many of Seattle’s notable food achievements are the result of implementing key strategies of the Food Action Plan. The most recent update of Food Action Plan accomplishments is linked here. Noteworthy accomplishments in the last year include:

  • As a result of the Sweetened Beverage Tax implementation, the City’s healthy food access efforts expanded substantially through investments in Fresh Bucks, food banks, meal programs, and the launch of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.

  • Sales at Farmer’s Markets increased over 29% since 2017 with local farmers earning $828,631 through EBT (food stamp) and Fresh Bucks purchases.
  • 181,307 tons of organic waste was diverted from the landfill, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
  • 1,772 acres of local farmland, representing roughly 27 farms, were preserved through Seattle’s Transfer of Development Rights partnership with King County between 2013-2018. 

For any questions about the Food Action Plan, please contact Hannah Hill at Hannah.Hill@seattle.gov.  

Welcome Lylianna Allala, Program Manager for the Equity & Environment Initiative

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Lylianna Allala comes to the Office of Sustainability and Environment after serving as lead staff on environment and climate policy and outreach for U.S Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. She is dedicated to working across difference to co-develop solutions that will lead us to a more equitable and just world.

Lylianna is passionate about fostering pathways for young leaders of color into careers within the environmental movement. She helped to create and launch the RAY Conservation Diversity Fellowship; a national leadership program with the goal to increase and facilitate conservation-related career pathways for emerging leaders of color. Lylianna also served on the Community Partner Steering Committee which shaped the Seattle’s Equity and Environment Agenda.

Lylianna’s professional background includes monitoring the endangered Mitchell’s Satyr butterfly, prescribed burning for habitat restoration, trail building in the Washington’s Alpine Lakes Wilderness and leading forest restoration efforts in the West Duwamish Greenbelt, Seattle’s largest contiguous forest.

Lylianna has a B.A in English from Winona State University, a certificate in Non-Profit Management from Georgetown University and a certificate in Wetland Science and Management from the University of Washington. She is a leadership fellow with the Henry M. Jackson Foundation and 2018 Forward Honoree of the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition for her contributions to advancing equity in outdoor recreation and conservation.

Lylianna is a lifelong learner and enjoys story telling as a way to develop deeper insights about self and the world around her. She is excited to join the team at OSE to ensure that communities most impacted by environmental injustice are on the leading edge of solutions to secure a healthier future for all.  

Help Speak for the Trees! Currently Seeking Applicants for the Seattle Urban Forestry Commission

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Are you passionate about the future of Seattle’s trees and green spaces? Interested in using your personal expertise to help shape the management of Seattle’s urban forest? Help the Emerald City keep its nickname and become a member of UFC, Seattle Urban Forestry Commission!

The UFC was established in 2009 to advise the mayor and City Council concerning policy and regulations governing the protection, management, and conservation of trees and vegetation in the City of Seattle. To gain a wide scope of perspective, the Commission gathers 13 members from a range of personal and professional backgrounds to work on UFC’s goals, including the City’s aim of achieving 30% tree canopy cover by 2037.

Two positions are currently open: Position 9, which seeks an economist, financial analyst, WA State licensed real estate broker, or any other similar professional, preferably with a background in planning or development, and Position 2, which seeks an urban ecologist, preferably experienced in the field of restoration ecology. Both positions last from confirmation until March 31st, 2020, with the possibility of extending for another 3 years beyond that. 

The time commitment for each position is ten hours per month, with Commission meetings taking place on the first and second Wednesdays of each month, from 3-5 pm. Trees are a vital element of Seattle’s health and identity as a city; help give them a voice through membership with UFC!

To be considered, please send a letter of interest outlining your qualifications to Sandra Pinto de Bader by August 30, 2019.

Duwamish Youth Participate in Air Pollution Science Project

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Duwamish Valley teens recently partnered with local scientists to gauge the success of urban greening efforts with the help of an unlikely ally: moss! Though often overlooked, moss has proven to be an effective tool in assessing regional air quality. Duwamish Valley Youth Corps (DVYC) members are learning how to collect samples for testing and using these new skills to benefit their community.

Seattle’s Office of Sustainability and Environment is a partner in the Green Duwamish Learning Landscape (GDLL). GDLL is a collaborative effort between several local and federal organizations, alongside the Duwamish Valley community, that is working to collect information evaluating the effects of urban greening efforts while monitoring change over time in the Duwamish River Watershed.

Air quality in the Duwamish Valley is poor and the City is always open to partnering with the community to make improvements. This project trains DVYC members to participate in a community-led science effort using moss from street trees in South Park and Georgetown to monitor air pollution. Twenty DVYC youth are learning scientific protocols to collect and prepare moss samples for analysis. The end goal is to identify specific hotspots and actions to mitigate air pollution impacts on the community.

There is a long history of using moss as an inexpensive screening tool to assess areas beset by heavy metal air pollution. Unlike root-based plants, moss absorbs most of its nutrients from the atmosphere. Moss leaves lack a protective outer layer, which allows for the absorption of water and other substances across their entire surface, creating a “footprint” of the surrounding atmosphere. Previous studies in the Pacific Northwest have used a variety of moss species to screen air pollution in the Pacific Northwest; GDLL is specifically collecting Lyell’s bristle-moss (Orthotrichum lyellii), commonly found on local deciduous trees.

This work is part of the ongoing implementation of the Duwamish Valley Action Plan and will identify potential impacts while directing outcome actions to improve the community’s health and quality of life. The project provides green job training, economic development, community empowerment, cross sector collaboration, and on-the-ground environmental improvements to community residents. For more information, contact the City’s Urban Forestry Advisor, Sandra Pinto de Bader, at Sandra.Pinto_de_Bader@seattle.gov.

And while you’re here, check out this video to see the great impact the DVYC is having in their community! 

Announcing the 2019 Environmental Justice Fund

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Deadline for proposals in September 16

In partnership with Bullitt Foundation, the Office of Sustainability & Environment is excited to announce the second cycle of the Environmental Justice Fund, a grant opportunity for community-led projects that invest in communities’ ability to improve environmental conditions and respond to impacts of climate change.

The Environmental Justice Fund was co-created by the Environmental Justice Committee—12 people with deep community roots who work closely with communities on environmental justice issues—with support from the Seattle Office of Sustainability & Environment.

The Environmental Justice Fund recognizes that the most effective environmental and climate solutions come from the community itself and that community members are in the best position to design and carry out projects that include community, culture, nature, family, health, food and/or education.

Communities of color and people of color-led organizations are invited to submit proposals for projects. Projects should be led by and benefit the people most affected by environmental inequities: communities of color, immigrants, refugees and Native people—including people with low incomes, youth, and seniors—who live, learn, work, worship and play in the City of Seattle.

There is $200,000 in funding available from the City of Seattle, with grants administered by the Bullitt Foundation. The maximum grant award will be $40,000. Projects may begin as soon as January 2020 and must be completed by June 2021. Proposals are due by 4:00 pm on Monday, September 16, 2019.

Meet Ximena Fonseca-Morales, OSE’s new Equity & Environment Initiative Program Coordinator

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The Office of Sustainability & Environment is thrilled to introduce the newest member of our team: Ximena Fonseca-Morales is the new Program Coordinator for Seattle’s Equity & Environment Initiative.

Ximena, who immigrated to the Pacific Northwest from Peru in 2003, brings years of experience leading meaningful community engagement and approaches her work through a lens of race and social justice. Her work in the nonprofit and public sectors has allowed her to advance environmental and climate justice as well as health equity. She is constantly reminded of the intrinsic connection we have to the environment, both natural and built, and is inspired by how different communities define the environment. In this role, she is most excited to continue working with community to help elevate creative solutions that help us work toward achieving environmental and climate justice.

Ximena most recently worked for Washington County’s Environmental Health program where she focused on partnership development and led community engagement efforts on a wide range of environmental topics including air quality, water, and food safety. After spending the last eight years between both coasts, Ximena is thrilled to be back in the PNW and to call Seattle home. She holds an MA in Climate & Society from Columbia University and a BA in environmental science from Barnard College.

Seattle Justice Center Improvements Lead to 19% Energy Savings and 25% Reduction in Carbon Emissions

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Seattle’s Building Tune-Up program helps building owners identify smart, responsible ways to reduce energy and water costs. Like cars and bikes, all buildings need to be tuned regularly to keep them running as efficiently as possible. Seattle buildings that are 50,000 sq. ft. and larger are required to complete a building tune-up every five years. As part of Seattle’s ongoing climate leadership, the City committed to completing tune-ups at on City buildings one year in advance of deadlines for the private market. The results of these early tune-ups are starting to come in and we’re pleased to share them with the public.

Building managers at the Seattle Justice Center completed all tune-up actions by last spring. After a year’s worth of tracking and adjusting for weather normalized use, the results demonstrate notable improvements in both energy and carbon savings. Before the tune-up, the Justice Center’s “energy use intensity” (EUI) was 73.8 and now the building’s EUI is 59.8. EUI is a common building energy metric that expresses the measurement of a building’s annual energy consumption relative to its gross square-footage.

The improvements in the Seattle Justice Center’s EUI represent an overall energy savings of 19% and a 25% reduction in carbon emissions. Additionally, the upgrades will bring an annual savings of $57,000!

For more information on the specific corrective actions that were performed  to achieve these savings, check out the Seattle Justice Center Tune-Up Case Study.

Proposals for Environmental Equity Projects Now Being Accepted!

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Project proposals are now being accepted for the King Conservation District (KCD) – Seattle Community Partnership Grant Program for natural resource improvement projects led by or are in deep partnership with communities in Seattle that are most impacted by environmental injustice and systemic racism. This year we will distribute roughly $400,000 to established nonprofits, tribal organizations, and community organizations with a fiscal sponsor. Community groups can apply for up to $75,000

The program advances the City of Seattle’s Equity and Environment Initiative and KCD’s natural resource priorities by funding projects that build community awareness about environmental issues, manage stormwater with green infrastructure, protect and restore water bodies, build healthy soil, support the urban forest and a sustainable local food system.

Organizations and groups are encouraged to apply for projects that benefit communities that have been disproportionately impacted by environmental injustice and systemic racism and that enhance natural resources through direct improvements, education and outreach, pilot or demonstration projects, or capacity building support.

Letters of Intent (LOI) are due by 5pm on Monday, July 15, 2019. All application materials and information regarding project requirements and eligibility can be found on KCD’s website. For more information, contact Jessica Saavedra, 425.282.1906.

WA Ranked 3rd Nationwide for LEED Buildings — Seattle’s Fire Station 22 Featured as a Notable Project

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Earlier this year, the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) announced the top 10 states in the nation for LEED Green Buildings in 2018, and Washington state took the 3rd spot – the highest in its history – behind Illinois (1st) and Massachusetts. States were ranked based on the square footage of LEED buildings certified per capita. Seattle’s Roanoke neighborhood Fire Station 22, a LEED Platinum facility, was featured as the state’s notable project in USGBC’s announcement. 

Seattle Fire Station 22

Seattle’s Sustainable Buildings & Sites Policy requires that all City-owned properties meet the LEED Gold standard along with other key performance requirements for energy, water, waste, and transportation. Fire Station 22 is one of over 40 facilities that were LEED-certified under the policy since its inception in 2000 and is one of only three City facilities, all fire stations, to have attained a LEED Platinum rating.   

Fire stations tend to be some of the most energy- and water-intensive facilities out there due to the nature of their critical, round-the-clock provision of emergency services. Creative solutions were, therefore, required to meet the already challenging LEED Platinum threshold. Here are some highlights from the Fire Station 22 project’s online LEED profile page: 

  • 10,150 square feet, certified in April 2018 
  • High-performance building envelope with highly efficient mechanical & plumbing systems 
  • 15-foot deep roof overhang that increases stormwater collection, houses a PV array, and provides solar shading 
  • 100% of water used for irrigation and 60% of water used for toilet flushing and truck washing comes from harvested rainwater 
  • Circadian lighting strategies to reduce energy use and assist with sleep rhythms for firefighters 

Thanks to these strategies, Fire Station 22 is expected to exceed the energy performance required by Seattle’s sustainable building policy by 23%.  Congratulations to the design and construction teams led by Weinstein A+U and Par-tech Construction and to the Capital Development and Construction Management division in the City’s Department of Finance and Administrative Services, including Division Director Dove Alberg, Fire Facilities and Emergency Response Levy Program Manager David Kunselman and Fire Station 22 Project Manager David Jackson!