Sustainability

Sequim is a beautiful place to live, work and recreate ~ and everyone wants to keep it that way! 

Three of six priorities adopted by Sequim City Council for 2018-19 involved improving the sustainability of City operations and mitigating our impact on the climate, responding to prior resolutions R2012-11 and R2016-16.  These Council priorities state the following: 

  • Reduce recyclables and food waste hauled to the landfill.  (For more information on this topic, click here.)
  • Invest in infrastructure and equipment to reduce carbon emissions.  (For ways to reduce your carbon footprint, click here.)
  • Develop and implement a strategy that increases solar as an alternative energy used in the community.  (For details on the City's solar installation, click here.)

The third progress report on sustainability actions by staff was presented to Council in October 2020 and it was clear that such values are indeed maintained at the individual level as well as the departmental level.  Public Works staff is leading the tracking effort and prepared a summary (link to the right) and details (5-page table).

Following are several notable examples of recent and ongoing programs and services (see links to the left for more info):

  • Installing 50kW solar PV on Sequim Civic Center (2020)
  • Partnering with PUD to install Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations downtown (2019)
  • Converting fleet from gas and diesel to alternative fuel options (started in 2013)
  • Planning for future regional water shortages by pursuing new, sustainable water sources and storage projects 
  • Increasing online bill pay by 50% to one-third of all utility customers
  • Converting all street lights to LED (2016)
  • Communicating the importance of maintaining resilience, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic 
  • Leading coordination of regional emergency management and participating in regional hazard mitigation planning (two plans adopted in 2020)
  • Building infrastructure and hosting the Sequim Bicycle Alliance to encourage active transportation and improve public health (started in 2015)

Sustainability Framework 

Capture ILG framework

Watch the Mayor's 50th Anniversary Earth Day Proclamation and a statement from Sequim HS Senior Wren Fierro-Burdick

Earth Day video entry screen

2020 Presentation to City Council

2-page Summary (2020)

Sustainability Infographic 2020_Page_1

next steps

  • Continue integrating sustainability measures with Comp and Master Plan Updates
  • Establish measurable objectives, goals and target dates
  • Ensure annual budgets for implementation


REFERENCE

Resolution 2012-11: Establishing a Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Policy

Resolution 2016-16: Adopting Policies that Improve the City’s Sustainability and Resiliency

Sustainability Best Practices Framework, Institute for Local Government, California

Drawdown Framework, Project Drawdown