Realizing that global warming may not just be a scientific proposition but an occurring fact, King County in Washington State has started taking steps to both curb emissions and reuse resources through a combination of innovative programs:

Currently implemented programs include:
- fueling 374 buses with 5% biodiesel
- operating a 235 vehicle fleet of hybrid buses
- operating a fuel cell using captured gases from a wastewater treatment plant
- creating a Resource Conservation Manager position to oversee County-wide conservation efforts and requiring all new and significantly remodeled buildings to comply with LEED standards.

Measures still in the planning stages include:
- bumping up the County-wide use of biodiesel to 20%
- installing and operating a fuel cell using captured landfill gas
- arranging for 50% of the County's total energy consumption will be provided for by renewable energy sources by 2020
- building a new wastewater treatment plant capable of delivering 21 million gallons of reclaimed water

The extent of these measures shows that King County does not consider the threat of global warming to be of passing interest. The entire state of Washington has taken a similar tact pursuing measures such as higher efficiency, lower emission vehicles (in conjunction with many other U.S. Cities and States) and alternative forms of energy production such as wind power.

Climate change - King County
Fuel Cell Demonstration Project
KC will quadruple biodiesel use
landfill gas to electricity

by: Talon Swanson - Engineer, King County
photo: King County Executive, Ron Sims