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Thurston County hears hours of public comment on proposed Home Energy Score ordinance; legal review pending
Summary
Hundreds of residents and stakeholders urged both adoption and a pause of a proposed mandatory Home Energy Score at time of listing. Supporters called it a modest, information-providing step on county climate goals; real-estate groups warned of costs, timing and legal risks. The board closed public comment pending prosecuting attorney review.
Thurston County commissioners heard more than a dozen in-room and online speakers Marching through both pro- and anti-positions at a public hearing on a proposed mandatory Home Energy Score (HES) ordinance. County staff said more than 250 people responded to an outreach survey, that two cities (Tumwater and Olympia) are considering related ordinances, and that if adopted the county would have one year to stand up a regional HES program before the requirement takes effect.
The ordinance would require a Department of Energy–style Home Energy Score when a home is listed, with private-sector certified assessors conducting the evaluations. CPED staff said the first year after adoption would be used to develop a certified assessor workforce, conduct outreach to residents and real-estate professionals, finalize implementation procedures and set up monitoring.
Why it matters: Supporters said a standardized HES gives buyers consistent, comparable information about expected utility costs and carbon footprint, which can…
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