The Commute Smart Northwest program encourages commuters to use smart commuting options including walking, bicycling, teleworking, riding the bus, carpooling and vanpooling. Partnering with over 130 employers throughout Spokane County, the Commute Smart program reduced over 6,200 cars from the roads every day before COVID-19. “That number has increased substantially with so many people teleworking, biking and walking now,” notes Yamamoto. “Commute Smart participants on average save between $100 to $200 a month on their commute,” she adds. Find out how much you can save with the organization’s Commute Cost Calculator and start logging your Commute Smart trips for the chance to win monthly prize giveaways.

Learn more at CommuteSmartNW.org. 

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Schweitzer and Resource Synergy plan to utilize the National Ski Area Association’s (NSAA) Sustainable Slopes methodology which was adopted by the industry in 2000. Schweitzer has also recently joined the NSAA Climate Challenge. Through this program, Schweitzer commits to taking actions that will target and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “Our unspoiled mountain environment, amazing views, and plentiful snowfall are some of the reasons Schweitzer is so special. Not only is investing in sustainability the right thing to do, but it’s a business imperative,” says Schweitzer Mountain CEO, Tom Chasse. Check out some of the substantive sustainability upgrades in the works at Schweitzer.com/sustainability/.

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Check out our new section on local food manufacturers. That’s No-Li Brewery on the front cover. Click the thumbnails above to read.

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Thanks for the article on available electric cars in Out There Monthly.

A few points on the operational cost of electric vehicles: In addition to zero oil changes (cost, inconvenience, petroleum dependence and pollution) its worth noting that the rate of brake pad replacement is about 90% less than a conventional car due to the regenerative braking function. Again, cost, shop time and a major reduction in carcinogenic brake pad dust dispersed into the environment. Another regular and expensive service item on IC cars is the exhaust system, including the catalytic converter, often replaced several times over the life of the car. Lastly, the electric motor itself has a lifetime about 10x that of a conventional IC engine.

These factors should be considered by prospective buyers and go a long way to mitigating any eventual battery replacement concerns.

David Johnson,Spokane

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Check out the online browser version of the brand new Go Green Directory. Just click the thumbnail above.

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This just in from the City of Spokane:

City of Spokane Recognized for Planning Work Around Sustainability, Climate Change
Mayor’s Sustainability Task Force helped lead the way

The City of Spokane has been recognized for its planning work to lessen its impact on climate change and encourage sustainable practices.

The City of Spokane, has received a 2010 American Planning Association (APA) and Planning Association of Washington (PAW) Joint Planning award for its “Greenhouse Gas” inventory reports and Sustainability Action Plan. The award honors the City’s superior planning efforts and will be featured by PAW in The Western Planner Journal and APA Washington in The Washington Planner.

The award also extends to those assisting with these efforts, including the Mayor’s Sustainability Task Force, Task Force Chair Roger Woodworth, and two interns—Brandon Betty and Leon Letson—who assisted with the work.

“The City of Spokane is committed to facing the climate change challenge head-on,” says Mayor Mary Verner. “Working with our elected officials and the Sustainability Task Force, Spokane will implement plans that address this challenge.” The Mayor continues, “Winning this award for our planning efforts truly marks years of efforts.”

In 2001, the City of Spokane joined more than 350 local governments in the U.S. and 800 local governments worldwide in ICLEI’s Climate Protection Campaign. In 2007, former Mayor Dennis Hession signed the U.S. Conference of Mayor Climate Protection Agreement, and under that agreement Spokane aims to meet or exceed Kyoto Protocal targets of a 7 percent reduction in greenhouse gas inventories by 2012.

These efforts were further established through a resolution developed by then Council Member Verner and passed by the City Council also in 2007, which established support for work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other sustainable actions.

In 2008 and 2009, the Mayor’s Sustainability Task Force further developed these ideas in the City’s Sustainability Action Plan, which also was adopted by City Council.

The work complemented the City’s work to develop its Greenhouse Gas inventory and related reduction targets. The City has determined trends and evaluated the effects that certain policies and actions have on greenhouse gas emissions. The City of Spokane is doing its part to assist in a statewide reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 10 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, reducing such emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020.

In recent years, the City has taken a series of steps designed to reduce its impact on the environment, curb greenhouse gas emissions, and become more sustainable. Among other things, the City is:

* Promoting the use of alternative transportation options and the complete streets concept.
* “Greening” our City fleet. We’re using re-refined motor oil, adding all-electric vehicles, and more.
* Adding community gardens throughout the City.
* Finding new uses for recycled products, including using recycled glass in street projects.
* Encouraging people to conserve water and offering rebates for making good water choices.
* Adding educational materials at City Hall and our libraries.

Implementing the latest in technology to save energy, including a new program that turns off our computers when they’re not in use.
* Accepting food scraps in our yard waste carts for composting in the middle of July.
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For more information about Spokane’s sustainability efforts or to read the greenhouse gas inventory reports, visit GreenSpokane.org.

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There’s been lots of buzz about “complete streets” in Spokane recently. Now it’s time to get involved! Please read this invitation to the upcoming Complete Streets Spokane planning meeting from the executive director of the Bicycle Alliance of Washington.

“If you have been reading the Spokesman Review and Out There Monthly, you know that there has been an alarming string of pedestrian deaths around Spokane and the Inland Northwest. Join representatives from Futurewise, the Bicycle Alliance of Washington, and other public interest groups in changing this trend!

January 13 – 5:30 PM
Central YMCA
930 N Monroe

When streets are designed for motor vehicles, they deny people the opportunity to choose more active ways to get around, like biking and walking. Even when sidewalks exist, large intersections and speeding traffic can discourage these active modes by making biking and walking unpleasant or unsafe.

Read Jon Snyder’s December editorial, Time for Complete Streets, in OutThere Monthly. The Bicycle Alliance of Washington has long been a proponent of Complete Streets policies at the state and local levels, and it continues to be part of our 2010 legislative agenda.

For more information contact Kitty Klitzke or at 509-838-1965 at Futurewise for more information.”

Dave Janis
Acting Executive Director
www.bicyclealliance.org
206-224-9252 x302

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Find out what local experts think about the state of, and future of, Eastern Washington’s environmental laws.

In a forum presented by the Spokane County Democrats, the Center for Justice and Gonzaga Law School, presenters will share their ideas on how to improve current policies. The event is from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on August 24th at the Barbieri Courtroom on the Gonzaga Campus. (Click here for a campus map.) Doors open at 3:30 p.m.

The panel is moderated by dean of Gonzaga Law School, Earl Martin and includes the following presenters:

Kitty Klitzche, Eastern Washington Coordinator of Futurewise, discussing the import of Washington’s Growth Management and presenting Growth Management 101.

Mike Chappell, Director of the GU Environmental Law Clinic, speaking on Clean Water Act 101 and the Spokane River.

Joel Merkel, Sen. Maria Cantwell‘s DC Legislative Aid on Environmental Issues, to discuss a Federal legislative update, funding as part of stimulus and how the Sentator’s work on the Energy Committee is resulting in local successes.

Bruce Howard, Director of Environmental Affairs for Avista, speaking on Local Business and Environmental Partnerships

Mike Petersen, Lands Council, presenting a national NEPA success story discussing National Forest collaboration and NEPA.

Sam Mace, Inland NW Director for Save Our Wild Salmon, speaking on Finding Common Ground on Salmon Recovery.

Breean Beggs, Chief Catalyst for the Center for Justice, speaking on local environmental issues and initiatives.

Send your RSVP to vote@spokanedemocrats.org.

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August 12 is Go Green Night at Avista Stadium.

The Go Green Directory and Avista are sponsoring a night at the ballpark dedicated to environmental sustainability. Join the Spokane Indians in learning ways to “go green.” Sign up at the game for a chance to win an energy saving appliance!

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