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September 19, 2024
Delivering on Executive Constantine’s emergency declaration to provide West Point Treatment Plant with reliable onsite power
West Point Treatment Plant tour
Executive Constantine congratulated our project team for delivering on an emergency declaration he signed to provide our frontline operators at West Point Treatment Plant with a reliable onsite power supply [ [link removed] ], better preparing our region for climate impacts.
Within just two years, our Wastewater Treatment Division demolished an older structure, built a 24,000-square-foot facility that now houses more than 48,000 high-voltage battery cells, and installed a rooftop solar array. This first-of-its-kind project in the U.S. prevents split-second power fluctuations from disrupting the plant’s critical pumps.
“The region’s largest treatment plant is safer, more reliable, and more resilient to climate impacts thanks to the ingenuity of our employees and partners,” said Executive Constantine.
*Follow the news coverage* [ [link removed] ]
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Video: Reducing waste generated by demolition, creating more equitable access to green jobs
Demolition [ [link removed] ]
Our Solid Waste Division is helping the local construction industry transition from demolition to deconstruction, a modern approach that dramatically decreases the amount a material the ends up in the regional landfill while creating more equitable access to green jobs.
Unlike traditional demolition that relies on heavy machinery to turn buildings into piles of mixed debris, deconstruction carefully dismantles structures so materials can be salvaged and put back into the economy or, in some cases, completely rebuilt or relocated. The approach taught by our workforce training team can reduce the amount of valuable material that ends up at Cedar Hills Regional Landfill in Maple Valley by up to 90%.
*Watch the video* [ [link removed] ]
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*Connecting more young people to the outdoors, after-school activities, team sports*
$5 million in King County Parks funding for outdoor recreation, after-school activities, refurbished aquatic centers, and enhanced sports fields [ [link removed] ]
More young people will have access to outdoor recreation, after-school activities, refurbished aquatic centers, and enhanced sports fields thanks to a combined $5 million in King County Parks funding proposed by Executive Dow Constantine and approved by the County Council.
The 63 funded projects will:
* Connect more young people of all abilities with the outdoors
* Support sports programs in underserved areas
* Upgrade parks, ballfields, and aquatic centers
* Grow culturally relevant health and wellness programs
Explore these community-driven projects [ [link removed]. ]
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Holding producers responsible to improve human and environmental health
Recycling paint for environmental health and a picture of a person holding a paint can with pastel colored paint swatches over a painting drop. [ [link removed] ]
Four years ago, 15,000 gallons of oil-based paint were sent to our regional landfill. Today, there are barely any. That's the power of extended producer responsibility, the foundation of a state law that makes it more convenient to recycle paint, protecting the human and environmental health of King County.
“We know these policies work, and that’s why EPR is a strong accelerator for our Re+ strategy in King County,’ says Adrian Tan, Policy and Market Development Manager for King County Solid Waste. “By holding producers accountable, we’re transforming our region towards a circular economy, reducing waste and cutting carbon emissions.”
*Watch the video* [ [link removed] ]
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Green Jobs, Green Futures Summit Sept. 26
[ [link removed] ]
Want a career saving the planet? The Green Jobs boom is emerging.
Building on the success of our inaugural Green Jobs, Green Futures Summit in 2023, the King County Climate and Workforce Development Team is inviting you back to the second annual Green Jobs, Green Futures Summit at on Thursday, September 26 at The Fremont Foundry in Seattle! King County, in collaboration with the Port of Seattle, City of Seattle, and Seattle City Light, is bringing you an interactive, one-day event geared towards creating community connections and showcasing local green businesses across construction, manufacturing, transportation, and technology industries.
*Register for the Green Jobs, Green Futures Summit* [ [link removed] ]
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Social media spotlight
Brat salmon
Green brat glow at the Ballard Locks salmon viewing area [ [link removed] ]
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If you encounter paywalls or articles requiring a subscription, Seattle Public Library [ [link removed] ] and the King County Library System [ [link removed] ] offer ways to read magazines and newspapers with a library account.
Salmon at the Ballard Locks
Green glow of the salmon viewing tanks at the Ballard locks [ [link removed] ]
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