Consultants report drop in citywide emissions; transportation remains largest source as VMT study outlines policy options

Consultants for Lake Forest Park presented updated greenhouse gas accounting and a vehicle‑miles‑traveled study on March 12, reporting a 14% decrease in community emissions from 2019 to 2023 but identifying transportation and buildings as the two largest remaining sources.

The consultants said the inventory now incorporates a calibrated VMT estimate using PSRC travel models adjusted with StreetLight (“big data”) to better reflect post‑COVID travel patterns. “Overall, we are seeing a 14% decrease in emissions from 02/2019 to 2023,” Consultant Jenna said, adding that decreases were driven mainly by electricity, fuel oil and propane reductions, on‑road and aviation declines, and changes in tree emissions.

Why it matters: the updated inventory and the travel market assessment are being used to set near‑ and long‑term VMT per‑capita reduction targets required under Commerce guidance and to choose strategies that are achievable given how people actually travel in and through Lake Forest Park.

Key inventory and VMT findings

- Community emissions change: The draft inventory shows about a 14% reduction in CO2e between the baseline and 2023. Consultants attributed much of the transportation decline to an increased share of electric vehicles in the fleet and lower aviation emissions tied to SeaTac passenger patterns.

- Aviation: The consultants said SeaTac reported lower fuel consumption and a drop in the share of origin passengers listing King County in passenger surveys (from roughly 82% to 52% in the years compared), which drove the aviation‑related decline recorded in Lake Forest Park’s inventory.

- Trees/land use: The inventory includes emissions associated with…