SUSTAINABILITY


The City of Lacey is one of Puget Sound's most livable communities.  In addition to being a safe, inviting, and economically vibrant city, Lacey is at the forefront of environmentally-friendly energy use and development:


  STEWARDSHIP  |  CONSERVATION  |  PROTECTION  |  CLEAN ENERGY | SMART GROWTH 

  • Green Power Community.   Since 2007, all of Lacey's municipal buildings (including city hall, the library, community center, museum, and public works operations center) as well as all city utility systems, parks and recreation facilities, and more than 3,000 street lights are powered by "100 percent green" electrical energy. Browse to Green Power Challenge for more information.

  • Alternative Energy Fair.   Lacey founded what has evolved into one of Washington State's largest annual alternative energy fairs showcasing energy innovations that are not based on fossil fuels.  The event includes races featuring electric vehicles from around the Pacific Northwest. 

  • Fleet Conversion.   Beginning in 2008, nearly all of Lacey's new municipal vehicles will be capable of being powered by either electricity or 80/20 biofuel, meeting the challenge set by Washington's State Legislature that publicly-owned vehicles be powered by alternative energy by the year 2015.

  • Electric Vehicle Charging Stations.   Since 2008, visitors and employees arriving at Lacey City Hall and the Lacey Library in electric vehicles are able to access charging stations in parking areas.

  • LED Traffic Signals.   Lacey was the first community in Thurston County to incorporate light-emitting diode (LED) technology into all of its traffic signals.

  • Multi-modal Transportation Choices.  In 2005, Lacey rail banked several miles of the Burlington Northern - Santa Fe railroad line through the center of the city and has begun its conversion to a Class I urban trail.  This investment provides true alternative transportation options for bicyclists and pedestrians to core employment areas in the community, and intersects with the 23-mile Chehalis Western Trail with connections to communities in southern Thurston County.

  • Residential Recycling.   Lacey partnered with a local refuse hauler in the early 1990s to pilot a residential recycling program that became a model for other Washington cities.

  • Urban Forestry.   Lacey was also one of the first cities in the state to receive the "Tree City USA" designation from the National Arbor Day Foundation.  Learn about Lacey's Tree Protection programs. 

  • Wetland and Environmental Protection.   Lacey was one of the first cities in the state to adopt an environmental protection ordinance.  Enacted in 1992, the regulations require protection of wetlands and other critical habitat areas.

  • Reclaimed Water Use.   Even in the evergreen state, water resource conservation is important. Soon, nearly 70 percent of the wastewater from Lacey's sewer system will be purified to Class A standards through a partnership with the LOTT Alliance for use by the city's new Reclaimed Water Utility for irrigation, groundwater and stream recharge, wetland enhancement and other purposes.

  • Stormwater Treatment.   The majority of stormwater runoff from streets and parking lots is now receiving treatment before entering Woodland Creek. The last major outfall is now receiving proper treatment with the opening of a regional stormwater treatment facility near St. Martin's University.

  • Salmon Habitat Restoration.   Improving habitat along Woodland Creek through the center of Lacey is a top priority—and nearly 90 percent of the creek's corridor is now protected in the city.  Projects have included fish weirs, habitat restoration, and property purchases to preserve pristine tracts of land along the creek.

  • U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.   Lacey is a signatory city on the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, pledging to take steps to create a more sustainable community.  In addition, Lacey joined ICLEI — Local Governments for Sustainability, a membership organization of local governments committed to advancing climate protection and sustainable development.

  • Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG).  In 2009, the City of Lacey received an allocation of $164,900 through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 which is administered through the Department of Energy. Learn more about the activities addressed through this Energy Efficiency grant. 

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