New law makes Seattle plant trees to battle heat

OLYMPIA — A new law will increase the strategic planting of trees in urban areas of the state thanks to Rep. Mary Dye, R-9th District.

She authored the House bill that was signed by Gov. Jay Inslee on April 7.

“Larger coastline cities retain heat from rooftops, pavement, and other heat-absorbing materials, creating what is known as ‘urban heat islands,’” said Dye. “Seattle is ranked 10th in the nation for its urban heat island effect.”

The excess heat in Seattle is detrimental to endangered species in Puget Sound.

“These human-made canyons absorb heat, which not only drives up the costs for residents who use air conditioning, but the warmer stormwater runoff is detrimental to our environment,” she said.

The warmer stormwater runoff is said to lead to sewage drainage flowing into Puget Sound, which leads to algae putting fish populations at risk.

House Bill 1114 makes municipal electric utilities, public utility districts, and investor-owned utilities to plant trees.

“The bill is modeled after a successful tree planting and cool-roof program implemented in 1991 by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District in California,” Dye said. “More than 600,000 trees have been planted in the Sacramento area since the program took effect, and the utility estimates that customers are saving as much as 40 percent on their cooling costs in the summer.”

The new law encourages electric utilities to help customers with a cool-roof program. They are roofs designed to absorb less heat and reflect more sunlight.

“This bill will reduce the negative effects of urban heat islands in our coastal Washington cities, and will improve the environment and quality of life,” said Dye.

Dye represents the state’s 9th District, which is Adams, Asotin, Franklin, Garfield, and Whitman counties as well as part of Spokane County. The district borders Oregon to the south and Idaho to the east.