Climate Action Plan Implementation Updates
Since the adoption of the Climate Action Plan in April 2023, the City has been hard at work on implementing actions outlined in the plan.
Many actions included in the CAP were already part of on-going City efforts. In addition to those, we are currently focused on the items identified as Near Term priorities. Below is a selection of some of the major projects the City has been focusing on in 2025:
- 2024 Greenhouse Gas tracking and reporting: Data gathering is underway for the next report, and the latest dashboard update should be ready by early 2026. Review the 2023 data, here.
- 2025 PSE Green Power Program Campaign: The City partnered with PSE to grow participation in their Green Power Program with a goal of 100 new sign ups in 2025. The City achieved this goal in August 2025, so PSE will be awarding MI $10K towards a new community solar installation on Mercer Island.
- 2025 Solarize Eastside: The City held a new solarize campaign, along with our partner cities in the Eastside Climate Partnership. The campaign launched in March and ended on July 4, 2025.
- EV Charging Infrastructure Plan Development: The City is working with a consultant to develop a strategy to grow EV charging infrastructure throughout the Island. This work began with the creation of a plan for electrifying the municipal fleet and the corresponding charging requirements for City facilities. Work is now underway on developing a community-wide plan. Plan development is expected to wrap up by June 2026, and implementation will begin shortly after.
- Heat Pump Rebates & Education: The City continues to participate in the Energy Smart Eastside program, an initiative of the Eastside Climate Partnership focused on energy efficient decarbonization and connecting residents with the information, incentives, and resources they need to go electric.
- Tree Planting Incentive: In 2024, the City began offering a tree voucher giveaway program to residents in partnership with the Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association (WSNLA) to encourage tree planting on private property. Learn more and apply for a voucher, here.
- Compost and Recycling Implementation: The City wrapped up an outreach project with a consultant in June 2025. The purpose of the project was to encourage compliance with state Organics Management Law, and to improve the diversion rate among commercial and multifamily properties.
The most recent Sustainability Workplan update was presented to Council on January 21st, 2025. For more information on implementation progress on the CAP and the items planned for 2025, please feel free to review AB6601.
To see how we're tracking towards our 2030 and 2050 goals, as well as other sustainability markers, please check out the Mercer Island dashboards, here.
