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| Resource Conservation |
Conservation issues have long been a priority for the Whatcom County government. In the Resource Conservation pages you will find information about how we promote sustainability in our operations, and resources on various conservation topics.
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| Government Conservation Programs |
- Climate: Whatcom County Climate Plan
- Energy:
- Green Power: Whatcom County facilities are powered 100% by alternative energy sources. By purchasing over 6 million kilowatt hours of Green Power through Renewable Energy Credits, Whatcom County is supporting the generation of and adding clean renewable energy to the national electricity grid.
- Utility bill tracking: Whatcom County tracks electric and natural gas bills on a monthly basis. This enables the County to find savings by identifying building inefficiencies and billing errors.
- Community Energy Challenge
- Green Building:
- Green Building: In 2005 Whatcom County passed a resolution promoting the use of LEED Standards in the Construction and Renovation of County Buildings and in the Construction Practices of the Private Sector.
- Whatcom County Courthouse LEED Certified
- Transportation:
- Commute Trip Reduction : Whatcom County aims to reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled by employees through increased walking, biking, and carpooling to work. Whatcom Smart Trips
 provides a tracking system for employees to track and tally their miles traveled and provides rewards for hitting certain milestones.
- Vehicle Idling: Whatcom County has a No Idling Policy for County Vehicles and Equipment. Exposure to vehicle exhaust increases the risk of cancer, heart and lung disease, asthma and allergies. Idling for 20 minutes generates the same amount of emissions as driving for nearly 320 miles. And idling for over 30 seconds wastes more fuel than turning your vehicle engine off and on. Visit the Northwest Clean Air Agency website for more information: www.nwcleanair.org/pdf/resources/nwcaaPubs/Idling_brochure_2-07.pdf
- Waste Prevention
- Recycling in Whatcom County offices is easy. Take a look at all of the recyclables we can throw in the bin!
- Visit our Recycling and Trash webpage for residential recycling information.
- County Conservation News: July 2010 Edition
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