Encompassing 2,300 square miles and with a population of over two million, King County is the most populous county in Washington State and the 13th most populous county in the United States. King County is bounded on the west by beautiful Puget Sound and on the east by the crest of the magnificent Cascade Range. In addition to typical county services, King County government provides other services such as operating a transit fleet of over 214 routes and wastewater treatment services for over 1.5 million residents. King County is named in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, the prominent civil rights leader of the 1960s.

As a Better Buildings Challenge Partner, King County is determined to continuously optimize its resource use. At all levels within county government, it is committed to finding cost-effective ways to implement deep, ongoing efficiency projects and programs. Building on a longstanding history of efficiency investments, the county will continue to test and embrace new tools and technologies, thereby demonstrating the environmental and economic benefits of resource efficiency. King County’s approach to energy reduction is multifaceted; including equipment installations, operational optimization, and utilizing education and funding mechanisms to ensure that its practices are deep rooted and effective for the long term.

The county has in place an energy plan to guide its efforts, with incremental energy reduction goals with which to track its progress. As of 2015, the county’s energy planning is captured in a broader Strategic Climate Action Plan. King County utilizes a number of tools to help fund its resource efficiency efforts, including maximizing utility rebate support, setting aside resources specific to carbon reduction projects, and the establishment of a loan program that funds projects and pays for debt servicing through on-going resource savings.

The county seeks to lead by example. Through its efforts, King County is demonstrating to the broader community and region that ongoing resource efficiency efforts are a continuous improvement practice, and that remaining at the cutting edge of resource efficiency is as good for business as it is for government.