Climate Change > What are we doing at Ecology?

What are we doing about it at Ecology?

At the Department of Ecology, we know that climate change will affect every aspect of the environment we depend upon for our children’s future.  Much more needs to be done in partnership with others around our state and beyond.  By working together to reduce our greenhouse gas contributions to global warming (and to prepare for climate change) we have already taken some important steps, including:

• Ecology has purchased 112 hybrid cars for the agency fleet as of March 2007 (Toyota Prius and Ford Explorer hybrids).
  
  
• The Department of Ecology is using a "No Idle Zone" program to educate parents not to idle their vehicle engines while waiting at schools. And we’re helping set up electrified parking sites so heavy-duty trucks can use electricity to keep refrigeration running instead of idling their diesel engines.
  
  
• The Department of Ecology headquarters building is built to energy and water conservation standards of Silver LEED (Leadership in Engineering and Environmental Design) as a high performance green building.
  
  
• The Washington Department of Ecology's headquarters building in Lacey has been named an "Energy Star".  "We require less energy than average at this building, and we've reduced our effect on the environment from day-to-day operations," said Carol Fleskes, administrative services manager for Ecology.  "To us, walking our talk means being a good example for other office buildings." The Department of Ecology building has a performance rating is currently the only state-owned building with an Energy Star label.
  
  
• Solar energy panels have been installed on rooftops at the Padilla Bay and Manchester Lab Ecology buildings.
  
  
• On hot sunny days, Ecology reduces headquarters' facility cooling needs by lowering the window drapes on the building's south side. The drapes are perforated to allow some sunlight through but still significantly reduce the cooling (air conditioning) load and therefore save energy.
  
  
• Padilla Bay educators offer Coastal Training Program classes for shoreline planners and coastal resource managers including How to Determine the Ordinary High Water Mark (Bellevue), Reviewing Wetland Ratings in Eastern WA (Ellensburg), Puget Sound Coastal Processes and Shoreline Stabilization Measures (Gig Harbor and Olympia), and others by request.
  
  
• Preparing for low in-stream flow scenarios – The Department of Ecology is providing grants and assistance to Watershed Planning Units throughout Washington who are developing recommendations for different solutions to in-stream flow needs.  Some options under consideration and present use include:
  • Assessment of current groundwater use.
  • Water conservation.
  • Leak detection programs (replace leaking pipes in water systems).
  • Implement an efficiency rate structure through local utilities.
  • Summer surcharge on water rates to reduce outdoor water use.
  • Additional water storage projects:
    • Columbia River Mainstem Storage Options, Washington Off-Channel Storage Assessment Pre-Appraisal Report - Prepared for Washington State Department of Ecology and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation by MWH (Large File 7.4 MB pdf)
      
      
    • Why the Black Rock Reservoir is not evaluated in the Columbia River Mainstem Storage Options Off-Channel Assessment Pre-Appraisal Report (90.5kb pdf)
      
      
    • Additional information regarding the Yakima River Basin Water Storage Feasibility Study and the Black rock reservoir proposal
  • Water reuse projects (sewage treatment, gray water). Examples of water use are detailed in the following municipalities:
    • Sequim
    • Quincy
    • Olympia
    • King County
    • Yelm
    • Ephrata
    • Sunland
    • Royal City
    • Walla Walla
    • College Place
    • Medical Lake
    • Cheney
    For case studies in Reclaimed Water Use see Creating new water supplies across Washington State