HomeMy WebLinkAboutProclamation Designating Mason County A Clean Energy Community PROCLAMATION
DESIGNATING MASON COUNTY
A CLEAN ENERGY COMMUNITY
WHEREAS, Washington State continues to be a national leader in clean energy policy and recognizes the benefits for our
climate,our planet,and our residents;and
WHEREAS,Washington State has set a goal to be powered by 100%clean energy by 2045;and
WHEREAS, Mason County receives its energy from its two operating public utility districts, Mason County PUD Nos. 1 & 3,
whose fuel mixes consist of resources that are already on average 95-98%carbon free;and
WHEREAS, Mason County, and the Pacific Northwest, has benefitted for over 80 years from the low cost, preference
hydropower that makes up the majority of our public utility districts' energy resources, thus making Mason County a more
affordable place to live and conduct business;and
WHEREAS, Mason County intends to continue to stimulate and recruit economic development to expand the County's tax
base, providing jobs and public services for Mason County families;and
WHEREAS, Mason County recognizes the role that clean, affordable energy plays in the ability to effectively sustain our
economy;and
WHEREAS, Mason County has three privately operated, small hydroelectric systems generating 26,968 megawatts of clean,
renewable energy over a five-year period;and
WHEREAS, Mason County also has approximately 1,250 kilowatts (dc) of solar connected to the two public utility districts'
power grids, which includes residential/commercial roof top solar, self-consumed solar, and community solar arrays, in
addition to 6 kilowatts(dc)from two privately owned residential wind projects;and
WHEREAS, Mason County's two public utility districts have provided energy efficiency programs that have helped save its
customers more than 23,783,206 kilowatt hours in energy over the last decade which equates to roughly$1.7 million dollars
in savings for Mason County residents in today's dollars;and
WHEREAS, Mason County is committed to helping Washington State achieve its clean energy goals and reduce the County's
overall energy consumption;and
WHEREAS, the term "clean energy" encompasses many thriving business sectors including energy efficiency, renewable
energy, electric vehicles, clean fuels, energy storage, and advanced grid technologies that are critical to the health and
economic growth of our county and its citizens.
NOW THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED,THAT:
• Mason County pledges to collaborate with Mason County PUD Nos. 1&3 to help facilitate the permitting of rooftop
solar arrays;and
• Mason County pledges to seek financial rebates for weatherization and energy efficiency upgrades, when
appropriate,at the County-owned and leased buildings;and
• Mason County pledges to add the consideration of electric vehicles when replacing County fleet;and
• Mason County pledges to collaborate with Mason County PUD Nos. 1 &3 to help facilitate the deployment of zero
emission vehicle charging infrastructure;and
• Mason County is hereby designated as a "Clean Energy Community" and shall help facilitate the installation of signs
at designated entrances to Mason County to highlight this designation to visitors and residents.
Dated this 6th day of October,2020
BOARD OF MASON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 4
K �
Sharon Tras R�and Neatherlin Kevin Shutty
Chair Commissioner Commissioner