Highlighted below are some of the projects and programs that we have recently worked on. You can receive updates about our current work by signing up for our quarterly Climate News emails.
Highlighted Projects
Home Electrification Appliance Rebate (HEAR) Program
The City of Bellingham and Whatcom County partnered to launch the Home Electrification Appliance Rebate (HEAR) program throughout Whatcom County.
The program provides free electric appliances and electrical system upgrades to qualified low-income homeowners, nonprofit organizations that serve vulnerable populations, and small businesses.
Extreme Heat and Wildfire Smoke Response
The potential for extreme heat events and increasingly poor air quality due to wildfire smoke is threatening the health of City residents that lack access to air conditioning and air filtration.
This program provides cooling and air filtering resources to vulnerable people during heat or smoke events.
Wildfire Risk Reduction Education
This program provides educational materials to approximately 16,000 households about how to reduce wildfire risk.
Learn more about the Whatcom Conservation District’s wildfire risk reduction program.
Home Electrification Pilot Program
The City is developing methods to integrate electric appliances into Bellingham homes. This work includes:
- Creation of a tool to assess the electrification potential of homes
- A pilot program to provide electric appliances to low- and moderate-income residents at reduced or no cost to the homeowner
- Electrification education
Additionally, City staff are working with consultants to research and propose additional methods for reducing carbon pollution generated by residential and commercial buildings. Learn more about this work by watching the April 2023 quarterly climate update given to City Council.
Electrification of New Buildings
In February 2022, City Council approved an ordinance to amend Bellingham building and energy codes with a focus on electrification, efficiency, renewable energy, and specifically space and water heating which accounts for the majority of energy consumption in buildings. The changes apply to new commercial and medium high-rise residential construction but not low-rise residential (single-family) homes, with the exception of relatively minimal solar-ready requirements. The three elements in this new ordinance are:
- No gas space heating and cooling, and no gas water heating
- Increased efficiency measures, such as better building envelopes, lighting, and insulation
- Solar readiness and/or solar installation requirements
Learn more about the amendments by viewing documents and media from the public hearing conducted on December 13, 2021 and the Jan. 24, 2022 Committee of the Whole meeting.
Improving Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
In early 2021, the City of Bellingham received a $1.5 million grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce to be used towards installing new electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure across Bellingham. The City contributed an additional $500,000 from its voter-approved Transportation Fund, bringing the total investment to $2 million. This project installed 90 new EV plugs distributed equitably across Bellingham on City-owned properties and public rights-of-way near destinations, workplaces, and multifamily residential areas. The final EV chargers were online by spring 2025. To learn more, please visit the Electrification of Transportation project page.
In November 2022, the City established rates for City-owned EV charging stations.
Increasing Alternative Vehicles in the City Fleet
The City has more than 70 alternative fuel vehicles in its fleet. When possible, the City chooses electric and hybrid vehicles for all new and replacement vehicles as part of its commitment to achieving the goals in its Climate Action Plan. Barriers to purchasing electric vehicles include availability of stock for light-duty vehicles and the capabilities and costs of available medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
Purchasing Renewable Energy with the Green Direct Program
The Skookumchuck Wind Farm near Centralia has been producing renewable energy on behalf of the City of Bellingham and many other partners through Puget Sound Energy’s (PSE) Green Direct program since November 2020. The City’s contract is for 20 years with the goal of purchasing enough renewable electricity generation to power most City-owned buildings. This energy project can produce up to 137 megawatts (MW) of wind energy—equivalent to powering 30,000 homes. The City’s contract with PSE will provide renewable energy to power City-owned buildings. The City is now investigating the potential of procuring renewable electricity generation for the entire community.
Climate Action Research
The research projects below are intended to assist the City in selecting climate actions that will maximize benefits to the community while reducing emissions and preparing Bellingham for climate change.
Climate Action Research Project
As an update to the City’s 2018 Climate Action Plan, the City engaged with a consultant and the Bellingham community to assess the best paths to achieve our emission reduction targets and benefit the Bellingham community in three key areas of action: Buildings, transportation, and power production. This effort included technical working groups, focus groups, and a survey focused on community needs relative to potential future climate actions.
- Final Report on Climate Action Research Project
- Presentation of the report to Council (see item “23965 2. “Climate Action Update for Fourth Quarter 2023”)
- Slides from the presentation to Council
Funding Climate Action
This research project analyzed the best ways to achieve a dedicated funding mechanism for the City of Bellingham. This fund would be used to reduce carbon emissions and improve community resilience to climate change in Bellingham.
Additional Projects
Find a full list of the items in the Bellingham Climate Action Plan on our Progress Update page.
