Office of the Mayor

City of Seattle

Jenny A. Durkan, Mayor

Executive Order 2021-09: Driving Accelerated Climate Action

An Executive Order directing City departments to accelerate action toward net-zero emission buildings, healthy and equitable transportation, and clean energy workforce development to advance climate justice.

WHEREAS, the Puget Sound Region is experiencing increasing sea levels and temperatures, changing

precipitation patterns, a long-term decline in snow and ice, summer smoke from wildfires, and ocean

acidification; and

WHEREAS, these changes pose increased risks to public health, infrastructure, safety, and the

environment, as climate change exacerbates air pollution, increases flood risk, and increases the

frequency, intensity, and duration of extreme heat events; and

WHEREAS, the impacts of climate change fall disproportionately on people of color, immigrants,

refugees, people with limited English language proficiency, Indigenous peoples, and low-income

residents due to economic inequities and our history of institutional and systemic racism; and

WHEREAS, an August 2021 United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report states very clearly that humanity has heated the climate to at least a 100,000 year high, all the warming is caused by human influence, and we must rapidly reduce emissions to net-zero by 2050 to stabilize our climate; and

WHEREAS, the City of Seattle has already enacted ambitious programs and policies to reduce

greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for the impacts of climate change including carbon-neutral energy, advanced building codes and incentives for high-performance new buildings, energy

efficient retrofits and tune ups, oil heat conversion, zero waste strategies, green stormwater infrastructure, expanded transit service, transit-oriented development, mandatory housing affordability, broadened housing choices near work and high opportunity areas, equitable development investments, and environmental and racial justice policies; and

WHEREAS, despite significant efforts and commitment and continued population and business growth, Seattle's most recent citywide greenhouse gas inventory indicates that Seattle must reduce emissions much faster than the current rate of progress and eliminating greenhouse gas emissions will only be possible with deliberate, aggressive actions to transition buildings and transportation systems away from using fossil fuels and towards climate pollution free electricity; and

WHEREAS, Seattle has led bold action to advance energy efficiency and decarbonization in buildings, including a new commercial energy code that is among the strongest on climate in the nation, Seattle's Green Building Standard that requires fossil-fuel free space and water heating equipment and appliances for developments receiving additional development capacity, an Oil Heat Conversion Tax to fund low-income household conversions from oil heat to electric heat pumps, and a ban on fossil fuels in new municipal buildings; and

WHEREAS, Seattle has led bold action to reduce personal vehicle use and accelerate transportation electrification including expanding bus-only lanes and transit capital investment, 52 miles of new bike facilities in the last five years, Seattle's Transportation Electrification Blueprint and City Light's transportation electrification strategic investment plan to leverage clean electricity to power the transportation sector, Seattle's EV Readiness Ordinance requiring EV-ready electrical service in new off-street parking stalls, City Light's EV Fast Charging deployment of 25 fast chargers in the community by the end of 2021 as well as infrastructure upgrades to Metro's South Base to support the deployment of 250 all-electric buses across our region; and

WHEREAS, Seattle's Green New Deal is an ambitious community partnership to accelerate net-zero greenhouse gas emissions through a fair and just transition for all communities and workers; advance an equitable transition to stable, well-paying jobs; and promote justice and equity by prioritizing investment in communities historically most harmed by economic, racial, and environmental injustice; and

WHEREAS, the Biden Administration had committed to ensuring that the U.S. achieves a 100% clean energy economy and net-zero emissions no later than 2050 by establishing an enforcement mechanism that includes milestone targets no later than the end of his first term in 2025; making a historic investment in clean energy and climate research and innovation; and creating incentivizes for the rapid deployment of clean energy innovations across the economy, especially in communities most impacted by climate change; and

WHEREAS, Seattle will be joining with governments, businesses, and community in Glasgow, Scotland in November 2021 for the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) to commit to deliver on our climate goals faster and reach net-zero by mid-century or sooner, to protect communities and natural habitats, to advance a global green new deal, and to mobilize finance for climate action and adaption; and

WHEREAS, under the leadership of C40, a coalition of more than 1,000 cities are bringing science-based commitments and tangible solutions to the table at COP26 as part of Cities Race to Zero and calling on national and regional governments, central banks, and international financial institutions to support cities so that they can deliver on these commitments to guarantee a just transition, prioritize green and sustainable employment, fund a transformative green new deal, and end all public fossil fuel investments and subsidies; and

WHEREAS, Seattle pledged its commitment to Cities Race to Zero and engaged peer cities and counties to join this global, cross-sector campaign to affirm strong commitments for a green and just recovery; create strong, fair and inclusive economies; and cut greenhouse gas emissions quickly enough to limit global heating to the 1.5C target of the Paris Agreement; and

NOW THEREFORE, I, JENNY A. DURKAN, Mayor of Seattle, hereby pledge the following climate actions to accelerate decarbonization, put Seattle on track to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas, expand and diversify green jobs, and lead on climate justice and equity.

Section 1: Accelerate Action Toward Resilient Zero Emission Buildings

With coordination and support provided by the Office of Sustainability & Environment (OSE) as necessary, City departments as referenced in this Order, including the Green New Deal Interdepartmental Team as established in Executive Order 2020-01, shall implement the actions necessary to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from, and improve the resilience of, the city's building sector at the rate necessary to reduce building-related emissions by at least 39% from the 2008 baseline by 2030 and to reach net-zero carbon by 2050.

These actions shall include, but not be limited to:

1. OSE shall develop carbon-based building performance standards for existing commercial and multifamily buildings 20,000 sq. ft. or larger. OSE shall immediately commence inclusive stakeholder engagement necessary to develop this legislation, with a draft ordinance due to the Mayor's Office by July 1, 2022. The ordinance shall:

set carbon-based emission targets that transition to net-zero emissions no later than 2050, but as soon as is feasible, with initial emission reduction targets for the largest cohort of buildings beginning no later than 2026;

include equity-focused support services for low-resource building owners, particularly alleviating cost impacts on affordable housing and small businesses;

minimize the risk of displacement and ensure Seattle's Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities benefit from healthier living and working spaces; and

provide clean energy career initiatives to maximize the economic benefits and opportunities of the generated economic activity for BIPOC and women.

2. OSE, Seattle City Light (SCL), and the City Budget Office (CBO), in coordination with all relevant capital departments, shall complete the Municipal Buildings Electrification Strategy by December 2022, as called for in Section 4 of Executive Order 2020-01. The Electrification Strategy shall be developed to plan for all municipal buildings to operate without fossil fuel systems and appliances no later than 2035.

3. SCL, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI), OSE, and the Office of Housing (OH), shall develop a report on potential options to lower upfront and operating costs of utilities to support affordable housing providers in building cost-effective, resilient, energy and water efficient, all-electric projects. The report shall be completed by April 30, 2022, and include a description of the options, as well as high level costs, benefits, implementation pathways, and any legal implications. Departments should explore options, including, but not limited to, design and modeling assistance, environmentally based performance incentives (e.g., electric or water efficiency), legislative action at the local or state level to exempt affordable housing from applicable taxes if specified energy efficiency or climate metrics are met, or by providing any other utility benefits or discounts that affordable housing providers may be eligible for.

Section 2: Accelerate Action Toward Healthy and Zero Emission Transportation

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), with the support of other City departments as necessary, shall implement the actions necessary to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the city's transportation sector by at least 82% from the 2008 baseline by 2030 and to reach net-zero carbon by 2050. These actions shall include increasing the availability of free transit; doing more to incentivize modes like transit, walking, and biking and by increasing ways to prioritize the right-of-way for transit and active transportation and improving street, facility, and network design; exploring the creation of vehicle free areas and progressive and equitable congestion and road-pricing policies; and electrifying everything that moves people, goods, and services by implementing the actions called for in Seattle's Transportation Electrification Blueprint, including designating a Green and Healthy Street (zero emission zone) in the City.

Immediate actions in response to this order shall include:

1. SDOT shall expand coverage of fare free youth ORCA Opportunity cards to include all Seattle Public Middle School students through the end of the 2021-22 academic year. In addition, SDOT shall conduct an analysis to fully evaluate options to equitably expand fare free programming, with a focus on all youth in Seattle under age 18. This analysis will consider the equity and climate implications of a new or expanded fare free program and include engagement with youth, centering those from BIPOC communities, from low-income and unhoused families, and youth with disabilities. This analysis will also identify factors to consider before any expansion of a fare free program, which may include policy development, operational costs and capacity, financial feasibility, and partnerships. SDOT will complete a report summarizing recommendations by July 31st, 2022.

2. Building on SDOT's 20 miles of permanent Stay Healthy Streets and Safe Starts caf permits, SDOT shall commence a stakeholder process to establish the City's first designated urban pedestrian zone. This effort will showcase how Seattle can both lead the conversion to zero-emission transportation with streets or blocks that restrict personal vehicles while providing dependable goods delivery, flexible space for outdoor dining or activities, public safety, and visitor access to neighborhood businesses. This process will initially report back by December 31, 2021, with the goal of implementation by Summer 2022.

3. SDOT shall develop legislation to allow for the designation of select curb spaces for zero emission vehicle access (only), with a draft ordinance due to the Mayor's Office by December 1, 2022. In addition, all City departments with permitting authority that impacts transportation electrification shall review permit processes and streamline and/or prioritize permit applications that directly support transportation electrification such as electric vehicle charging, fleet electrification, and grid infrastructure to deliver on Seattle's ambitious transportation electrification goals.

4. OIR and OSE shall advocate at the state legislature for increased authority to regulate and fund local climate action, including but not limited to, enabling legislation to adopt local residential energy codes, allow consumer-owned electric utilities to provide electrification rebates and incentives, and expand tax preferences for electric end uses, such as but not limited to, vehicles, bicycles, scooters, heat pumps, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. If action is not taken by the state legislature, OSE shall work with CBO and FAS to develop recommendations for a rebate of the City-imposed portion of the sales tax and any additional incentives for electrification.

5. OSE shall develop an electric vehicle incentive pilot to electrify heavy-duty diesel vehicles (drayage port trucks, school buses, garbage trucks) that impact Duwamish Valley communities with carbon and diesel pollution. OSE shall engage with stakeholders to understand the most equitable way to deploy incentives for conversions; develop an implementation plan, targeting under-resourced and low-income operators/owners by Q2 2022; and create a framework for deploying future funding from federal or state funds to support conversions at scale.

6. By December 31, 2023, SDOT shall develop a multi-modal long-range transportation plan that identifies system needs and actions necessary to meet our transportation climate, equity, and safety goals. It will build on Seattle's existing plans including our four modal master plans, the Transportation Electrification Blueprint, the Climate Action Plan, and more to advance our goals for all modes of travel, emerging technologies, and evolving access and public space needs.

Section 3: Accelerate Clean Energy Economic Opportunities

While the transition to a city without fossil fuels will generate significant economic and environmental benefits, we must ensure that our policies deliberately address the racial, gender, and other inequities that exist in the workforce if we are to achieve the more just community envisioned by these goals. We must leverage and expand workforce programs like apprenticeship programs and the Seattle Promise program. As such, the Department of Education and Early Learning, the Office of Economic Development and OSE, with support from SCL, SPU, Finance & Administrative Services, Seattle Department of Human Resources, and the Green New Deal City Team, shall launch a Clean Energy Workforce Committee (Committee) to advance green economic equity goals. This work will consult and collaborate with the Seattle Promise program, the Seattle Colleges, the Green New Deal Oversight Board, labor, employers, and key community stakeholders.

1. The Committee shall immediately review, prioritize, and provide an action plan to implement recommendations from recent workforce and economic development reports such as the Industrial and Maritime Strategy, the Fossil Fuel Transition Study, and two recent Seattle Jobs Initiative reports on clean energy workforce needs and recommend highest and best deployment of 2022 pre-apprenticeship scholarships for clean energy career training.

2. The Committee shall provide recommendations to the Mayor's Office by March 31, 2022, on concrete steps to expand educational and training pipelines to prepare, connect, and diversify workers in the growing sectors of clean energy technologies, green building construction, building operations, transportation electricity production and distribution, and other clean energy industries.

Dated this 29th day of October, 2021

Jenny A. Durkan

Mayor of Seattle