Interested in reducing your electricity bills, creating a healthier and more comfortable home, paying less for transportation, or all of the above? Now is the time! Recent federal legislation has accelerated expiration dates for many tax credits that incentivize clean energy projects for taxpayers while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Energy-Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C): Up to $1200 in tax credits for qualifying exterior doors, windows, insulation, air or duct sealing, and energy audits. An additional $2000 credit is available for a qualifying heat pump or heat pump water heater. Can be combined with rebates from your electric utility company to further reduce net costs of these projects. Expires December 31.

Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D): Tax credit for 30% of the cost of equipment and installation of solar panels, battery storage systems, geothermal heat pumps, and solar thermal water heaters. There is no cap to this credit, and you can apply excess amounts to future tax years. Expires December 31.

Electric Vehicles & Charging

New Clean Vehicle Credit (30D): Up to $7500 in tax credits for purchasing a qualifying new plug-in electric vehicle. Available to couples who make less than $300,000 per year and individuals who make less than $150,000 per year. Expires September 30. 

Used Clean Vehicle Credit (25E): Up to $4000 in tax credits for purchasing a qualifying used plug-in electric vehicle. Available to couples who make less than $150,000 per year and individuals who make less than $75,000 per year. Expires September 30. 

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit (30C): Up to $1000 for installing an electric vehicle charger in your home if you live in a qualifying low-income census tract. Can be combined with rebates from your electric utility company which can further reduce the net cost. Expires June 30, 2026.

Secure Your Load — Every Time! 

Earlier this summer, Pierce County partnered with the Department of Ecology on a Secure Your Load campaign. County staff talked with residents bringing loads into transfer stations about why it's important to secure their loads and how to properly do it. They handed out 500 pieces of equipment to help secure loads over a two-week period at four transfer stations. 

The majority of loads looked good, and residents really appreciated the “great job securing your load!” shout-outs from County staff. Ratchet straps and cargo nets provided by the Department of Ecology were offered for free to those folks who could have done a better job. A few customers with unsecured loads who were given equipment even returned using it later the same day!

Why does it matter? Unsecured loads cause over 300 crashes in Washington every year and cause up to 40% of roadside litter. Transfer station workers will continue to educate residents by handing out brochures on how to secure your load. Make sure to secure your load on your next visit to a Pierce County transfer station for safer and cleaner roads.



Above image: A 'Secure Your Load' sign and truck at the Hidden Valley Transfer Station.

September is Puget Sound Starts Here Month. Everyone can help keep pollutants out of the Puget Sound with small habits that make a huge impact for the health of our community: pick up after your pets, keep your tires inflated, check your vehicle for leaks. Learn more and take action.

Greening Pierce County

Ready to add greenery to your yard or neighborhood while contributing to climate health? Check out three ways to get started this season.

Tacoma Tree Foundation's Growing Trees and the Community:

Saturday, September 20, 2-3 p.m. at the Summit Pierce County Library. Learn about our region's urban forest and how communities can work together to increase tree canopy.

Pierce Conservation District Urban Tree Sale:

This is your twice-yearly chance to grab 5- and 7-gallon, 6-foot trees for a discounted price of only $10–$30! Order trees now and pick up in Puyallup on November 15.

Pierce Conservation District's Green Stormwater Mini Grants:

Applications open through November 15. Individuals, businesses, and community groups can get up to $4,000 for eco-friendly landscaping projects that reduce polluted stormwater runoff and improve local water quality. Now available in new areas, including Frederickson, Elk Plain, and parts of Graham. Schedule a free site visit with PCD staff to refine your project ideas.

We're glad you asked! Electronics contain toxins that should be kept out of landfills, as well as materials that can be reclaimed. Taking these items to an E-Cycle collection site ensures that they are properly handled. Washington State residents can drop off accepted electronics for FREE at participating E-Cycle locations. Accepted items include desktop and laptop computers, monitors and televisions (all types and sizes), tablets, E-readers, and portable DVD players.

Did you know? Prairie Ridge and Purdy Transfer Stations are now E-Cycle collection sites! See all recycling locations and accepted items at E-Cycle Washington. 

Do you have a recycling question? Send it to us at PCRECYCLE@PierceCountyWa.gov. We’ll send you a direct response and your question may appear in a future newsletter!

Share Your Commute, Win $25!

You're invited to Find Your Commute Buddy this September – you could win one of eight randomly drawn $25 prizes! Use the Trip Planner to find potential matches with people who share your commute, whether you're looking for carpool, transit, and biking buddies. 

Here’s how: 

1. Register on the trip calendar at RideTogetherPierce.com.

2. Add your home and work address.*

3. Make sure your commute is visible to everyone or those in your employer network. That's it! 

Already have your commute in the database? Be sure to update it before the end of September to be entered to win. 

*Your precise home address is never visible to others.

Get Active & Stay Engaged

Spend Your "Autumn in the Wild"

Embrace the beauty of fall and reconnect with nature in new and inspiring ways. Our "Autumn in the Wild" series combines outdoor adventure, artistic expression, and environmental stewardship to help participants build a deeper bond with nature.

The Art of Noticing

Sept. 18, 5:30-7 p.m.

Meridian Habitat Park in South Hill

A Habitat Walk Through Flett Creek

Sept. 25, 5-6:30 p.m.

Flett Creek in Lakewood

Coming this fall: Registration for our Home Energy Efficiency series and our Behind the Seams: The Hidden Co$t of Fast Fashion series will be available soon! Both series kick off this October. Details will be available at PierceCountyWa.gov/EarthMattersSeries in mid-September.

Edible Gardens Workshops

Read with us:

• Meet RTP's Star Commuter, Nicole E.: Saving money and finding peace of mind through vanpooling
• New Lushootseed Street & Park Signs Highlight Tribal Language & Creation History, Puyallup Tribal News



Watch with us:  

•  A Whole Lot: Climate Emotions video and toolkit, National Environmental Education Foundation (a great resource for parents and teachers!)

Listen with us:

• The Berry Way of Life, Old Growth Table podcast
• Cash In On Clean Tech Incentives (Before It's Too Late), A Matter of Degrees

Do with us:

• Paper shredding events: 
• Fredrickson: September 6, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 
• Lakewood: September 13, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 
• Key Peninsula: September 27, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• September 11, 4-5 p.m.: Raising Resilient Kids in an Age of Disaster (virtual)
• September 21, 12-4 p.m.: Sun Day Celebration at Tacoma Mountaineers Program Center 
• September 27, 4-6 p.m.: Book Launch: Fighting for the Puyallup Tribe, a memoir by Ramona Bennett Bill at Evergreen College Tacoma Campus  
• September 29 through October 5: Join the Nationwide Week Without Driving

Civic engagement opportunities:

• Pierce County Sea Level Rise Survey
• Pierce County Shoreline Access Survey
• Pierce County Agritourism Survey