Thurston County eyes partnership with King and Pierce Counties in electrification education and outreach campaign 

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Thurston County is looking to partner with King and Pierce Counties to launch the Switch Is On initiative, an online education and outreach campaign promoting electrification. 

The Thurston County Board of Commissioners agreed on Wednesday, November 29, for county staff to bring forward a service agreement with King County, which has agreed to procure a service provider to develop the campaign. 

Senior Program Manager Rebecca Harvey of the county’s Climate Mitigation program told the board that part of the campaign is to create a website to raise awareness and provide resources about electrification.  

Harvey said that the website would also help connect users looking to upgrade or retrofit their homes with vetted contractors and provide information about available incentives based on their zip code. The campaign would also involve outreach events throughout the three countries. 

The initiative would cost around $225,000, according to Harvey, and county staff is proposing for Thurston to contribute $25,000, which Harvey said was comparable to the contribution of other jurisdictions in the region. 

Harvey added that the Switch Is On campaign would be a pilot program for the state’s Energy Upgrade Navigator Program. 

House Bill 1391 which had proposed the program, was approved by the House in 2023, but did not pass the Senate. The bill would be reintroduced again in the 2024 legislative session. If passed into law next year, the program would establish a statewide information hub to connect building owners and renters with incentives, rebates, and qualified energy service contractors. 

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  • Southsoundguy

    There is a severe lack of vision in Thurston county leadership. It’s basically just “go along with the liberals up North.” It’s sad because it will lead to the annihilation of authentic communities and the history of the South Sound.

    Wednesday, December 6, 2023 Report this

  • Deanima

    SS Guy, instead of constantly making stupid comments, like "eliminate zoning," or "eliminate urban growth areas," why don't you get off your ass, put your money where your mouth is, and run for an office? It's easy to sit and your computer and take pot shots. It's also cowardly.

    Thursday, December 7, 2023 Report this