Ephrata adopts green resolution

EPHRATA — The Ephrata City Council, following a state mandate, passed a resolution to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The council approved a resolution which includes changes such as buying vehicles with higher fuel efficiency, increasing the use of flexible and alternative fuel vehicles, providing curbside recycling and composting, expanding walking and bicycling trails, promoting neighborhood walking, shopping and recreation areas and improving facilities through “energy efficient retrofitting, fixtures, windows, etc.”

The requirement came from a state law enacted in July 2009, which requires any state funded project to take emissions into consideration. The Public Works Trust Fund adopted the requirement, requiring any agency wanting the funds to pass the resolution, Policy and Program Development Manager Cecilia Gardener said.

“Most of these jurisdictions are already doing this,” she said.

The city is in the process of applying for a $1.9 million Public Works Trust Fund Loan to pay for the final phase of its water and road replacement project. The project entered its third phase this year with construction crews preparing to replace water pipes and repave roads in the southwest section of the city.

City Administrator Wes Crago said the resolution is a “general policy statement of intent,” and the city isn’t necessarily going to budget for changes outside of the changes it would normally make.

“We’re going to proceed with common-sense methods to make us more energy efficient,” he said. “That’s good for the citizens. That’s good for the taxpayers. If the city is consuming less energy, that is more energy available for growth. If we’re using less fuel that reduces the need to pay for the fuel.”

The law does require the city to review its progress on the resolution annually, Crago said, adding the state isn’t asking for more than a policy statement.

“I am concerned that as time goes on the state may require more direct actions that may not be as common-sense,” he said.