City joins Eastside Climate Partnership, Energy Smart Eastside

The City of Sammamish recently joined the Eastside Climate Partnership (ECP), continuing the City’s commitment to finding sustainable solutions to region-wide issues.

“We are committed to sustainability and take this initiative very seriously,” Sammamish Mayor Kali Clark said. “Climate change and sustainability are important issues that the community deeply cares about. It makes perfect sense for us to join this effort and we are excited to collaborate with our neighboring cities.”

The ECP is made up of the cities of Sammamish, Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland, Mercer Island and Redmond. This interlocal agreement enables the cities to create shared programs that reduce regional sources of climate pollution and advance collective sustainability.

Energy Smart Eastside is one such program run through the ECP, connecting residents with information, incentives, and resources that make heat pumps a more accessible and affordable option for their home. Heat pumps offer an energy-efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners. Community workshops provide more information on heat pump savings and benefits. The program is funded by city dollars matched with grants from the Washington State Department of Commerce, Washington State University and Puget Sound Energy. 

Sammamish adopted its first Climate Action Plan in December 2023, focused on combating climate change and promoting sustainability through initiatives aimed at reducing the City's carbon footprint and preserving its unique natural resources. Approximately 76 percent of carbon emissions in Sammamish come from residential buildings, and community members will be key to the City reaching its greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. Bringing Energy Smart Eastside to Sammamish will provide residents with additional opportunities to lower their carbon footprint.