Past Projects
TCAT Lead Projects
Thurston County Clean Energy and Climate Survey & Report (PDF), Updated February 2016
Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report for 2010 (PDF)
Greenhouse Gas Inventory Presentation (PDF)
- Puget Sound Energy (PSE)
- Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC)
- Thurston County
- LOTT Clean Water Alliance
- Interns and volunteers
Clean Energy & Climate Work Group
- Thurston Thrives
- Climate Reality
- Barb Scavesse
- South Sound Solar
- Sunset Air
- Generations Credit Union
About the time the Federal Government was beginning ARRA grants, Thurston Climate Action Team was in its infancy. We wanted to do something positive. We partnered with the Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC) in applying for a grant to improve local energy efficiency. At the time, the Olympian, in an editorial, described us as strange bedfellows–an outfit with climate in its name and the EDC. Well, the product of that partnership was Thurston Energy and it continues as an EDC program. Please check out their website in the title of this entry.
- Thurston Economic Development Council
Electric Vehicle Charging Zoning Update
In 2009, the Washington State Legislature passed 2SHB-1481. It required that development regulations provide for EVI as of July 1, 2010 for King County, Pierce County, and Thurston County (Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater and unincorporated Thurston County adjacent to I-5. The draft ordinance was to be developed by the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC). TCAT contacted Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater and Thurston County and offered to work on the draft ordinance and coordinate local adoption. A TCAT representative assisted PSRC in completing the draft ordinance. The appropriate ordinance was adopted by those jurisdictions before the deadline. TCAT saved local staff time and money, and ensured the deadline was met. It was an example of TCAT efforts to collaborate with others to solve problems and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the county.
- Lacey
- Olympia
- Tumwater
- Thurston County
- Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC)
- Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC)
City of Rainier Traffic Analysis/Park n Ride (PDF)
Every workday morning, a steady stream of SOVs heads North on Rainier Road. TCAT believed a park-n-ride lot could reduce the drive alone traffic. At the same time, the City of Rainier needed some traffic/street analysis done, but had no money. TCAT brought together the City and the Saint Martin’s University Engineering Department. SMU Engineering took on the project. The output was the analysis identified in the project title. As is often the case, there’s an ongoing search for funding for the projects.
- City of Rainier
- Saint Martin’s University (SMU)
TCAT Partner Projects
Green & Healthy Homes Initiative
GHHI began in Baltimore, Maryland to deal with lead paint in old housing and minimize it’s effect on children. It has since expanded to a national program with a broader focus. “A green and healthy home consumes less energy, produces less waste, and does not contain health or safety threats. It supports the well-being of the people living there in many different ways.” Thurston Energy, through Thurston Thrives, has made application for membership. TCAT is a partnering organization.
- Thurston Thrives
- Thurston Energy
- Ecobuilding Guild
- Homes First
- Thurston Energy
Sustainable Thurston is a community conversation that identifies a vision for a vibrant, healthy, and resilient future, as well as the actions and responsibilities to achieve it.
Pollinator Protection
- Thurston County
- Olympia Beekeepers
- Washington State Beekeepers
Energy Efficiency in Rentals Workshops
Early on, TCAT recognized there is a disconnect between landlord funded improvements and tenant energy bill savings. We’ve worked with the EcoBuilding Guild and others on the issue. Although unresolved, slow progress is occurring.
- EcoBuilding Guild
Tenino Energy Efficient Home Demonstration
TCAT worked with the Community Action Council (CAC) to identify a home in the Tenino area that would benefit from energy efficiency improvements. CAC evaluated the property and made the appropriate improvements. The project introduced energy efficiency efforts to the Tenino community and hopefully will result in additional upgrades to homes and businesses.
- Community Action Council (CAC)