Thank you for your interest in the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan and for signing up for climate mitigation plan updates. We are excited to inform you about progress on developing a strategy for Thurston County, Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater to reduce local contributions to climate change.

After nearly two years’ work the Steering Committee unanimously approved the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan during their December 10 meeting. Now, we are happy to announce that the final version of the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan is posted on the newly updated climate mitigation project website. The climate mitigation plan includes actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from different sectors across the Thurston region and build local capacity to address climate change.

While a climate mitigation plan has been approved, work is far from over. In the coming months, the partnering jurisdictions will present the finalized plan to their policymaking bodies for formal adoption. By accepting the finalized version of the climate mitigation plan, jurisdictions agree to continue collaborating on regional mitigation by implementing strategies tailored to their communities’ needs, abilities, and resources.

While the plan has been finalized, you can still comment to individual jurisdictions on whether you support them taking action to accept the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan and address climate change. Here are some upcoming opportunities:

• The Tumwater City Council will review the plan at a work session on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 and will consider a Resolution to accept it at their regular meeting on January 19, 2021. Oral comments are accepted during regular city council meetings using an online platform (see agenda once posted for instructions). Written comments may be sent by email to council@ci.tumwater.wa.us by 5pm on the day before the meeting.
• The Lacey City Council will consider a Resolution to accept the plan at their regular meeting on Thursday, January 21, 2021. Oral comments are accepted during regular city council meetings using an online platform (see agenda once posted for instructions). Written comment may be sent by email to publiccomment@ci.lacey.wa.us by 12:00 pm on the day of the Council meeting.
• The Olympia City Council will consider a Resolution to accept the plan at their regular meeting on Tuesday, February 2, 2021. Oral comments (via Zoom) are accepted during City Council meetings and written comments can be emailed to citycouncil@ci.olympia.wa.us.
• The Thurston County Board of Commissions is in the process of scheduling a date to accept the plan. Oral comments are accepted in person or over the phone during BoCC meetings. Written comments can be emailed to county.commissioners@co.thurston.wa.us.

As always, we welcome your feedback! If you have questions or comments, please reach out to Allison Osterberg or Les Tobias at climate@trpc.org.