Planning Commission hears update on climate element; 2022 GHG inventory shows buildings and transportation as key sources

Planning consultants working on Snoqualmie's climate element reported that a draft greenhouse-gas inventory for 2022 is complete and that resilience and emissions-reduction goals are being drafted for future Planning Commission workshops.

Chris Green, the consultant participating remotely, said the inventory (prepared with King County's regional process) uses 2022 as the baseline year, as required for the state-aligned planning process, and includes an additional 2023 data year for trend context. Green said electricity and natural-gas use in buildings together account for a large share of community emissions, and on-road transportation remains a major source. The consultant noted an allocation to aviation that appears as a material share in the inventory but said aviation emissions are not readily addressable at the municipal level because they are regional or national in scope.

Green outlined draft goals for the resilience subelement, including emergency preparedness, resilient built environment and green infrastructure, natural-systems protection and canopy expansion, cultural-resource protection, and building city decision-making capacity. For the greenhouse-gas subelement, staff previewed goals focused on concentrating growth near civic uses and services, improving building performance and electrification, making the transportation system more efficient and multi-modal, and expanding tree canopy and sequestration opportunities.

Staff asked commissioners to review draft goals and policies and provide feedback at the next workshop; packet materials with the draft language will be prepared so commissioners can read in advance. No formal action was taken at the meeting; staff said the climate element process will continue with additional workshops and public outreach.