Green Idea #3: Buy Energy Star
(As published in the Ferndale Record-Journal in December 2008)
 Health Department Offices Begin Pilot Program for Food Composting
November 3, 2008
The County Health Department offices have begun a composting program in their lunch rooms. Using special buckets lined with biodegradable plastic bags, they now collect food scraps and soiled paper products from staff lunches. The bags are then placed in food-waste toters for pickup through Sanitary Service Company's FoodPlus! program. Composting helps reduce the amount of waste generated by our operations. If successful, this program may expand to other County offices in the future.
Green Idea #2: Seal Your Home and Save Energy
(As published in the Ferndale Record-Journal in November 2008)
 County Planning Approves New Rules for Wind Energy
October 21, 2008
Whatcom County staff have been working for several months on new rules that will encourage the installation of small wind energy systems in unincorporated areas of the County. By passing these new rules, Whatcom County becomes the first in the state to create a streamlined permitting process that encourages residential wind systems at the local level.
Green Idea #1: Recycle Old Computers and TVs
(As published in the Ferndale Record-Journal in October 2008)
 Executive Kremen Joins Local Leaders from Across U.S. for Climate Retreat
September 11, 2008
County Executive Pete Kremen participated in an historic climate action meeting on Sept. 14-16 that brought together 50 of the nation’s top local government leaders to develop a “Blueprint for Local Climate Action” for the next President.
 County Courthouse Receives LEED Certification
March 24, 2008
The Whatcom County Courthouse in Bellingham has been awarded LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification, an award for high-performance, green operational strategies that is administered by the U.S. Green Building Council.
 County Conservation Efforts in the News
February 2008
Whatcom County's climate protection efforts have reached the media this month, in a front-page article of Whatcom Watch magazine. To read the article from the Whatcom Watch web site, click here.
 Whatcom County Initiates Green Cleaning Program
October 10, 2007
County government is on the verge of launching a Green Cleaning program for County operations, in conjunction with Bay City Supply and Johnson Diversey. County staff has been exploring options for this type of program for the past several months. During this time they also began trying new products in advance of a formal program.
 Council Adopts County Climate Action Plan
September 11, 2007
County Council today voted 6-1 on a resolution to adopt the Whatcom County Climate Protection and Energy Conservation Action Plan. This plan details the results of a 2006 greenhouse gas emissions inventory for the Whatcom County government and community. The plan also quantifies the emissions reduction measures that have occurred since 2000, and it sets goals and action steps to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from County operations and the community as a whole.
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