Tumwater committee moves proposed net‑zero by 2050 greenhouse‑gas resolution to Feb. 3 council consideration

The City of Tumwater Public Works committee voted Jan. 22 to place resolution R2026‑001, which would update the city’s greenhouse‑gas emissions reduction targets to align with the state, on the Feb. 3 City Council agenda for discussion and staff report.

Alyssa Joneswood, the city’s sustainability manager, told the committee the goal in the proposed resolution is to reduce community‑wide greenhouse‑gas emissions to net‑zero by 2050, consistent with the state target. "Our goal, hopefully, if you and the city council together adopt this resolution, is that we would reduce greenhouse gas, community wide greenhouse gas emissions to net 0 by 2050, consistent with the state target," Joneswood said. She explained the proposed action is largely housekeeping to reconcile three city documents — a 2018 resolution, the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan and the newly adopted climate element of the comprehensive plan — and pointed to more than 200 local actions listed in the climate element.

Council members asked that the item be placed on the main consideration calendar rather than the consent calendar so the public can hear the presentation and there can be more community education and discussion. Joneswood said she would provide existing annual reports and dashboards, including the Green Team annual report and Thurston Climate Mitigation Collaborative reporting, to help show progress and past actions.

Committee members moved to place R2026‑001 on the Feb. 3 City Council agenda for discussion with a staff report and a recommendation to adopt; the motion passed by voice vote.