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King County approves plan to reduce emissions and save money by doubling down on renewable energy.
The move is expected to save the county more than $1 million.
King County councilmembers approved a proposal by Executive Dow Constantine to extend an agreement with Puget Sound Energy (PSE) that energy purchased for county operations come from renewable sources. The move is expected to save the county more than $1 million.
PSE’s Green Direct program offers government and corporate customers the opportunity to purchase their energy from new wind and solar facilities in Washington state. Since 2020, GHG emissions from King County government operations have dropped by 16% as a result of purchasing renewable electricity from PSE. Previously, King County entered into a 10-year contract; now, it will move to a 20-year contract.
As directed by the Washington Clean Energy Transformation Act, PSE will supply net zero carbon by 2030 and 100% clean (renewable and non-emitting) by 2045 to all customers. Currently, approximately 40% of electricity provided by Puget Sound Energy for standard customers is from fossil fuel sources.
According to King County staff, Green Direct is less expensive than standard energy from PSE, and King County is already on track to save about $250,000 a year when compared to the standard cost of power. Under the extension, the agreement will last until 2040, and because Green Direct Energy prices are lower in a 20-year contract, staff estimate the cost savings with this move will be more than $1 million.
King County’s Executive Climate Office (ECO), Facilities Management Division (FMD) and other departments are working on a broad range of efforts to reduce emissions from countywide operations and buildings across the region.
This includes programs to increase affordable access to clean energy for more people, such as the Energize program, which installs free or lower-cost heat pumps to homes in areas where people are likely to be disproportionately impacted by the effects of climate change.
PSE’s Green Direct program offers government and corporate customers the opportunity to purchase their energy from new wind and solar facilities in Washington state. Since 2020, GHG emissions from King County government operations have dropped by 16% as a result of purchasing renewable electricity from PSE. Previously, King County entered into a 10-year contract; now, it will move to a 20-year contract.
As directed by the Washington Clean Energy Transformation Act, PSE will supply net zero carbon by 2030 and 100% clean (renewable and non-emitting) by 2045 to all customers. Currently, approximately 40% of electricity provided by Puget Sound Energy for standard customers is from fossil fuel sources.
According to King County staff, Green Direct is less expensive than standard energy from PSE, and King County is already on track to save about $250,000 a year when compared to the standard cost of power. Under the extension, the agreement will last until 2040, and because Green Direct Energy prices are lower in a 20-year contract, staff estimate the cost savings with this move will be more than $1 million.
King County’s Executive Climate Office (ECO), Facilities Management Division (FMD) and other departments are working on a broad range of efforts to reduce emissions from countywide operations and buildings across the region.
This includes programs to increase affordable access to clean energy for more people, such as the Energize program, which installs free or lower-cost heat pumps to homes in areas where people are likely to be disproportionately impacted by the effects of climate change.