SNOHOMISH COUNTY, WA – Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon issued Executive Order 07-48, an order regarding climate change and sustainability, on July 20, 2007. The order aims to reduce the Snohomish County’s carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as improve the quality of life for county citizens. The goal is to reduce county greenhouse gasses to 20 percent below year 2000 levels by the year 2020.

The order creates a County Staff Climate Change Committee to review the County’s internal operations and make recommendations on how to reduce the Snohomish County government’s carbon footprint. The order also creates a “Green Ribbon Climate Change Task Force,” comprised of community stakeholders, to examine the community’s carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions and make policy recommendations by December 2008.

Snohomish County has joined the International Coalition of Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI).

The County Staff Climate Change Committee will consider, among other things:

• Compliance with part 2, chapter 348, Washington State Laws of 2007, regarding public sector fuel use.
  

• Use of alternative fuels, biodiesel, hybrid vehicles, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
  

• Energy use by the County, including natural gas and electricity.
  

• Consider the full range of policies and strategies for the County to adopt or undertake to ensure the emission reductions and economic goals are achieved.

  The Snohomish County Fleet Management Division of Public Works will actively participate in these discussions and develop plans and strategies to achieve these goals.