PORT TOWNSEND — When it comes to global warming, one door closes and another opens, says Jefferson County’s Climate Protection Campaign facilitator.
“There are local economic opportunities that are really open to us in Jefferson County,” said Kees Kolff, former Port Townsend city councilman and mayor who has also served as Jefferson Land Trust board president.
Addressing more than 50 attending the Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce on Monday at Fort Worden State Park Commons, Kolff said there are opportunities locally for existing businesses to save and green business to grow.
Kolff and other Climate Protection Campaign volunteers successfully swayed City Council members and Jefferson County commissioners to collaborate in conducting a baseline inventory of local energy uses that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide.
In their actions, city and county leaders resolved to reduce energy consumption to 80 percent of 1990’s level by 2050.
The volunteers will also make estimates of current emissions and forecasts of future emissions if current practices do not change.
Joint committee
The two government bodies agreed in resolutions to appoint a joint city/county citizens committee to develop a local climate action plan, which makes recommendations for achieving community standards.
Kolff said he hopes that by next year city and county leaders pass another resolution to form such a committee.
There’s no question that global warming will have a negative economic effect over time, said Kolff, to weather, wildfire conditions, fish, agriculture and rising sea waters that create shoreline problems.
But the economic carrot of opportunity comes with energy savings and green business practices, he said.
“It’s a fact to note that here in Jefferson County, we have more photovoltaic systems than in all of the city of Seattle,” said Kolff, adding that Port Townsend-based company, Power Trip Energy, was approaching the installation of 100 such solar-power systems in the region.
None is for commercial enterprises, however, Kolff said.
“I’m just curious why some businesses are not taking the opportunity of installing a photovoltaic system to benefit their businesses,” Kolff said, urging business owners to invest in solar-power generation.
Tax credits for business
Tax credits for businesses surpass those for residential solar systems, with a 30 percent tax credit and no cap on the dollar amount, he said.
There is a $2,000 tax credit cap for residential solar systems.
He also called for more homes built using the Built Green construction approach sanctioned by Jefferson County Home Builders Association.
Other ways businesses can save money are through reducing waste through recycling, reusing and composting organic matter.
More than 21,000 tons of was leaves Jefferson County each year, heading 300 miles south to a landfill in Klickitat County bordering the Columbia River, he said.
Kolff recommended that businesses market to “environmentally conscious customers,” promoting a green image and advertising the use of recycled paper or purchase of offsets to be “carbon neutral.”
Other businesses, such as The Printery, SOS Printing and Circle and Square automotive center, can become EnviroStars, as part to the regional pollution prevention program.
Green products, such as Forest Stewardship Council certified lumber, can also be used, Kolff said.
Businesses can also encourage a decrease in transportation costs by walking, biking, carpooling, using public transit, electric cars and teleconferencing, he added.
Energy-producing options
Kolff also cited the city of Port Townsend’s formation of an Alternative Electric Management Committee to look at energy-producing options, including the city becoming an electricity provider.
Already, Jefferson County Public Utility District commissioners are considering taking over the east county’s portion of the Puget Sound Energy power system.
PUD commissioners meet at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the PUD offices, 230 Chimacum Road, Port Hadlock, to discuss the proposal.
Kolff said if PUD takes that step, it would result in 36 jobs paying more than $50,000 each.
PUD Commissioner Dana Roberts said he believes that the PUD proposal to assume PSE’s Jefferson County power system should go to the voters in 2008.
Bonneville Power Administration, which provides power to Puget Sound Energy, give up to 5 percent rebates to encourage energy efficiency, Kolff said.
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
