Find a Professional to Make Your Clean Energy Upgrades
|
|
As a partner in The Switch Is On campaign, the City of Olympia is proud to offer a new tool for those interested in electrifying their homes, lowering their energy use, saving on utility bills and cutting climate pollution.
Are you looking to make clean-energy upgrades to your home or business? Find the right professional for the job using the new Contractor Finder tool brought to you by The Switch Is On campaign. Simply enter your zip code and select your project type to see a list of contractors in your area who can help with heat pumps, weatherization, electric vehicle charging and more!
The Switch Is On is a one-stop shop to help you navigate the process of upgrading your home with clean-energy technologies like a new heating and cooling system, heat pump water heater or induction-cooking stove.
|
|
PSE Supports Electric Vehicle Charging for Multifamily Housing
|
|
In 2023, the Olympia City Council approved an ordinance to establish electric vehicle (EV) parking standards and ensure accessible EV charging for all Olympians. Now, a new program from Puget Sound Energy (PSE) is helping residents in multifamily housing enjoy the benefits of EV charging.
While more than 80 percent of EV charging takes place at home when available, there is a shortage of EV charging infrastructure in multifamily housing units. To help multifamily properties provide EV charging for their residents, PSE has launched a program called Up & Go Electric for Multifamily that covers up to 100 percent of installation and maintenance costs for EV chargers for qualifying multifamily properties.
To learn more about this program and how it can benefit your property, please visit the program's webpage. If you have questions, you can contact PSE to learn more by calling 1.800.562.1482.
|
|
Help Shape the City's Comprehensive Plan Climate Chapter
|
|
The City of Olympia is updating its Comprehensive Plan and needs your help to set the direction for the Climate Action & Resilience chapter. This new chapter is being developed by a cross-departmental staff team and will address the following objectives:
-
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled.
-
Improve climate preparedness, response and recovery efforts to enhance resiliency and avoid the adverse impacts of climate change.
-
Prioritize benefits for vulnerable populations and overburdened communities who suffer disproportionately from environmental harms and climate-exacerbated hazards.
This plan won't be complete without input from the community. To learn more about the project, please visit the Engage Olympia project page or submit an email request to [email protected] to become a "party of record for" the Comprehensive Plan update process.
Open house: Join us on Wednesday, July 31, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., for a Public Open House on the Comprehensive Plan update process. The Open House will be in Council Chambers at Olympia City Hall, 601 4th Ave East. There will be a brief presentation and the opportunity to learn more about each chapter!
|
|
Tips to Beat the Heat and Stay Safe from Wildfire Smoke This Summer
|
|
Summer is here, and that means hot and dry weather for Olympians. Because Washington summers are getting longer and hotter, the potential for dangerous conditions is also greater. To help you stay safe, check out Thurston County Public Health and Social Services' tips for avoiding hazardous heat and wildfire smoke.
For safety in hot weather:
-
Extreme heat events are periods of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for at least two to three days.
-
Stay indoors and in an air-conditioned environments as much as possible. Cooling centers may be available in your area during extreme heat events. To find out about cooling centers during hot weather, check Thurston County's news page. If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine. Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun.
-
Plan strenuous outdoor activities for early or late in the day when temperatures are cooler. Take frequent breaks when working outdoors.
-
Check frequently on people who are elderly, ill or may need help. If you might need help, arrange to have family, friends or neighbors check in with you at least twice a day throughout warm- weather periods.
For safety in wildfire smoke:
-
Check current air quality regularly. Air quality conditions can change quickly.
-
Avoid strenuous outdoor activity. Minimize all outdoor activity until the air is clear.
-
Keep your indoor air clean by setting your air conditioner to recirculate. Use a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your furnace or make your own low-cost clean air fan. Change the filter when it gets dirty.
For more tips related to staying safe this summer, including tips in Spanish, Chinese, Korean and other languages, visit the Washington State Department of Health website.
|
|
Contact
Dr. Pamela Braff, Director of Climate Programs
City Manager's Office
360.753.8249
[email protected]
|
|
|
|
