Remaining focused on our priorities and values

Dear fellow King County employee, I know that many of us are feeling anxious and uncertain about the future of our nation and our world right now as we wait for a result in yesterday’s presidential election. For many, the prospect of weeks of recounts and legal actions only compounds what has been some of the most stressful times in our nation’s history, and our own lives. We must remain patient, vigilant, and steadfast. The record voter turnout in King County showed that, in this corner of the nation, we are united… Read More

Join us: The Annual Giving Drive is happening now

Dear friends, Earlier this month, we kicked off our Employee Giving Program Annual Giving Drive — the most fun time of the year! Now through Nov. 20, we can make a difference by supporting the causes that are most important to us. This is year is different. While we may be physically apart, we are still together through this important work. As you know, we are in a critical moment – locally and globally. Across our region, nonprofits are simultaneously facing a drop in funding while working on the front lines responding… Read More

2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan – All employee briefing opportunity, October 19 

King County employees are invited to come learn about the County’s proposed 2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP) at a free webinar on Monday, Oct. 19. The 2020 SCAP is the County’s five-year blueprint for climate action, integrating climate change into all areas of County operations and work with King County cities, partners, communities, and residents. The plan outlines King County’s priorities and commitments for climate action for decision-makers, employees, partners, and the public. On Aug. 27, Executive Constantine transmitted his recommended plan to the County Council.  All King County employees are invited to participate to… Read More

New Climate Action Toolkit will help King County cities develop customized climate strategies, mobilizing the region’s efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions

A new Climate Action Toolkit created by King County and King County-Cities Climate Collaboration will provide local governments with practical guidance on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for both government operations and at the community-wide scale, spur the growth of an equitable clean energy economy, and preserve our natural environment.  If approved by the King County Council, the toolkit that King Executive Dow Constantine announced today will be available at no cost to all 39 cities. It is designed to be a flexible guide for cities in all stages of climate planning to… Read More

Virtual Zero Carbon Conference, October 7 and 8 

The International Living Future Institute is happy to invite you to the Zero Carbon Conference! This inaugural event will feature experts from around the world who understand the need for equitable decarbonization in the built environment. Join this virtual event to learn about the technology, materials, and financing needed to pave the way for scalable decarbonization. It’s more important than ever to bring carbon emissions down and change the status quo for the built environment.   The keynote speakers at this event will be Tom Steyer, who is well known for his climate… Read More

Utility of the Future Today and awards for outstanding performance 

Crossposted from Clean Water Stories  King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) has received national recognition as a Utility of the Future Today for its beneficial use of Loop® biosolids. WTD is one of 65 water utilities being recognized for transformational work in community engagement, watershed stewardship, and recovery of resources such as water, energy, and nutrients.  The Utility of the Future Today concept is being promoted as water systems face challenges such as aging infrastructure, water pollution, workforce shortages, and impacts of climate change, including drought, floods, storms, and sea level rise. The Utility of the Future… Read More

My 2021-2022 proposed biennial budget

Dear fellow King County employee, Today I transmitted my 2021-2022 proposed biennial budget to the Metropolitan King County Council. It is a budget driven by our values, our anti-racism agenda, and the needs of our community. It tackles homelessness, transforms the criminal legal system, invests in our communities and community engagement, preserves and protects more of our region’s land and water, and continues our fight against climate change. It strengthens our equity and inclusion efforts, and purposefully incorporates an emphasis on racial justice and anti-racism. Some of the highlights include: A proposal… Read More

2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan – All employee briefing opportunities 

King County employees are invited to come learn about the County’s proposed 2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP) at either of two free, Zoom “Lunch and Learns.” The 2020 SCAP is the County’s five-year blueprint for climate action, integrating climate change into all areas of County operations and work with King County cities, partners, communities, and residents. The plan outlines King County’s priorities and commitments for climate action for decision-makers, employees, partners, and the public. On August 27th, Executive Constantine transmitted his recommended plan to the County Council. All King County employees are invited to participate in either of two briefings to get… Read More

Building a more resilient, sustainable, equitable King County: Executive Constantine announces regional strategy to confront climate change 

King County Executive Dow Constantine today announced his proposal for the 2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan, which includes cutting greenhouse gas emissions countywide in half by the end of the decade, a stronger focus on climate justice, and preparing the region for climate impacts.  “Climate change is impacting King County today, deepening inequities and intensifying natural hazards – flooding, wildfires, extreme heat – that put people, our economy, and our environment at risk,” said Executive Constantine. “We surpassed many of our goals from the current Strategic Climate Action Plan by listening to… Read More

Electric scooter share pilot program 

King County has launched a one-year pilot program for shared electric scooters in accordance with Ordinance 18989. We’re creating this pilot program to offer new mobility options in the North Highline Urban Unincorporated Area, including White Center. Scooter share programs operate much like bike share programs – anyone can access a scooter using a smartphone app, ride to their destination, and leave the scooter in an appropriate location.  This pilot program will help the County determine whether shared Scooters can support the County’s policy goals of:  Improving first/last mile connections to transit  Reducing… Read More