Climate action elements for local comprehensive plans

Energy has been at the center of development since the dawn of humankind.

Today’s well-deserved focus on Clean Energy is wedged between science and economics. The quest to evolve from ‘dirty’ energy will open huge career development opportunities in everything from social behavior, technology, automation, to creative marketing of new products. A comprehensive educational vision and strategy will be required to hone essential multi-disciplinary skills.

I saw this begin to unveil when I served on the regional transportation subcommittee with Energy Northwest and Washington State University (Tri-Cities) as they administered the WA State Green Transportation Program. I recently witnessed a resurgence in positive interest in sustainable planning and economic development when WA Commerce & WA Ecology partnered to comply with a new Growth Management Act mandate for all cities in Washington to add a Climate Change ‘element’ to their local Comprehensive Plans, which set the long-range plans for urban planning. See STC/alsc.org definition at: (https://alsctc.org/directory/environmental-sustainability/resource-management/growth-management/). 

Recently, STC was invited to serve on several Climate Action Advisory Boards, all of which address Green House Gas reduction, negative health and Air Quality impacts, resilience to Climate Change hazards (wildfire, drought, heat stroke, air quality alert days, brown-outs, etc.) and to assess the disparity of climate impacts on overburdened communities and susceptible individuals.

Not surprisingly, Clean Energy has risen to the top of the agenda when it comes to sustainable improvement solution for combating climate change at all levels of planning. Electrification of vehicles appears to be a common ground for public agencies, manufacturers, and consumers.

Below is a quick glance of what is transpiring as various consultants and advisory committees help direct the WA Growth Management mandate to protect the public against negative Climate Change impacts.  

1. State Level – Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCPAT), which is drafting the latest-and-greatest probable energy directions and funding for the State of WA, with a goal to engage in climate solutions that work for communities.

• Status – EPA response focusing on Green House Gas emission targets by 6/30/25. https://waclimatepartnership.org/en/get-involved/
• Review the virtual WA sectoral roadshows to see the breadth of discussion
  Waste and Materials: Thursday, Feb. 27, 2-4 p.m.
  Electric Power: Tuesday, March 11, 12-2:00 p.m.
  Buildings: Tuesday, March 18, 10:00 a.m.-12 p.m.
  Natural and Working Lands: Monday, March 31, 3-5 p.m.
  Transportation: Thursday, April 3, 1-3 p.m.
  Agriculture: Monday, April 7, 10:00 a.m.-12 p.m.
  Industry: Monday, April 7, 1-3 p.m.
• Join the CCPAT Summer Quarterly meeting on July 28,2025.

2. Regional Level CPAT Climate Action Plan, a unique experience in collaboration and consensus building at the jurisdictional level. Active participants: Benton Franklin Council of Governments, Benton County Planning, and Cities of Kennewick, Richland, West Richland, and Pasco, plus representatives from BF Health District and CCL/STC Climate Opportunity Action Plan group (COAP).

• Status – Third and final advisory mtg. Tri-Cities Regional Climate Approach: CPAT Meeting #3 – Steering Committee Meeting, Monday, July 31⋅ 10:00 am

3. Local level – City of Prosser Climate Action Plan, to appreciate the small town/rural community engagement process.

• Status – final draft Climate Element complete with background data shared in mid-July. Review period thru end of March 2026.
• March 2026 – initiate the City’s Comp Plan adoption process e.g. Planning Commission and City Council recommendations.
• June 2026 – adoption of the Climate Element into the Comp Plan.

Each of these comprehensive plan climate action elements will soon be released for public comment. Contact STC if you want to get involved at the local level or reach out to WSU-Tri Cities to learn more about Clean Energy Careers.

Sincerely Yours, Bill Barlow, Pres, Sustainable Tri-Cities