Whatcom County: A White Paper

Whatcom County is a beautiful and diverse place, with a rich history and a bright future. The county is home to a thriving economy, a talented workforce, and a vibrant community. However, Whatcom County also faces some challenges, including a growing population, increasing housing costs, and a changing climate.

This white paper will explore the challenges and opportunities facing Whatcom County. It will also offer recommendations for how the county can address these challenges and build a brighter future for all.

Challenges

• Growing population: Whatcom County's population is growing rapidly. In the past decade, the county's population has grown by more than 10%. This growth is putting a strain on the county's infrastructure, housing market, and environment.
• Increasing housing costs: The cost of housing in Whatcom County is rising rapidly. In the past year, the median home price in the county has increased by more than 20%. This is making it difficult for many people to afford to live in the county.
• Changing climate: Whatcom County is already experiencing the effects of climate change. The county is seeing more extreme weather events, such as heat waves, droughts, and floods. These events are having a negative impact on the county's economy, environment, and infrastructure.

Opportunities

Despite the challenges, Whatcom County also has many opportunities. The county is home to a thriving economy, a talented workforce, and a vibrant community. Whatcom County is also located in a beautiful and desirable place.

• Thriving economy: Whatcom County has a strong economy. The county is home to a variety of businesses, including technology companies, manufacturing companies, and tourism businesses. The county's economy is expected to continue to grow in the years to come.
• Talented workforce: Whatcom County has a talented workforce. The county is home to a number of colleges and universities, which attract talented students from around the country. The county's workforce is also highly skilled and educated.
• Vibrant community: Whatcom County is a vibrant community. The county is home to a number of festivals, events, and activities. The county is also home to a number of arts and culture organizations.

Recommendations

To address the challenges and opportunities facing Whatcom County, the county should:

• Invest in infrastructure: The county should invest in infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and water and sewer systems. This will help to ensure that the county can accommodate its growing population.
• Support affordable housing: The county should support affordable housing. This can be done by providing subsidies for affordable housing, building more affordable housing, and zoning for more affordable housing.
• Adapt to climate change: The county should adapt to climate change. This can be done by investing in renewable energy, developing plans for extreme weather events, and protecting the county's environment.

Whatcom County is a beautiful and diverse place with a bright future. By addressing the challenges and opportunities facing the county, Whatcom County can build a brighter future for all.

Whatcom County is located in the northwestern corner of Washington State, bordering Canada. The county has a population of approximately 250,000 people and covers an area of 2,400 square miles. Whatcom County is home to a variety of landforms, including mountains, forests, valleys, and rivers. The county's climate is temperate, with average temperatures ranging from 40 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer.

Whatcom County's hydrology is complex and varied. The county is home to a number of rivers, including the Nooksack River, the Skagit River, and the Fraser River. These rivers are important sources of water for the county's residents and businesses. Whatcom County is also home to a number of lakes, including Lake Whatcom, Sumas Lake, and Baker Lake. These lakes are important for recreation and provide habitat for a variety of fish and wildlife.

Whatcom County's hydrology is also affected by the county's geology. The county is located on the North Cascades Fault, which is a major fault line that runs through the Cascade Mountains. The North Cascades Fault is capable of producing earthquakes, which can have an impact on the county's hydrology.

Whatcom County's hydrology is also affected by the county's climate. The county's climate is changing, and this is having an impact on the county's hydrology. The county is experiencing more extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods. These events are having an impact on the county's water resources.

Whatcom County's hydrology is important for the county's economy, environment, and quality of life. The county's water resources are essential for agriculture, industry, and recreation. The county's rivers and lakes provide habitat for a variety of fish and wildlife. The county's water resources are also important for the county's quality of life. Clean water is essential for human health and well-being.

Whatcom County is taking steps to protect its hydrology. The county has developed a water management plan that identifies the county's water resources and the threats to those resources. The county is also working to reduce the impact of climate change on the county's hydrology.

Whatcom County's hydrology is a complex and important issue. The county is taking steps to protect its hydrology and ensure that the county's water resources are available for future generations.

Here are some of the specific things that Whatcom County is doing to protect its hydrology:

• Developing a water management plan: The county has developed a water management plan that identifies the county's water resources and the threats to those resources. The plan also identifies strategies for protecting the county's water resources.
• Reducing water use: The county is working to reduce water use in the county. This is being done through a variety of measures, such as promoting water conservation and investing in water efficiency technologies.
• Protecting water quality: The county is working to protect water quality in the county. This is being done through a variety of measures, such as reducing pollution from wastewater treatment plants and storm drains.
• Managing flood risk: The county is working to manage flood risk in the county. This is being done through a variety of measures, such as building levees and flood walls, and developing floodplain management plans.
• Adapting to climate change: The county is working to adapt to climate change in the county. This is being done through a variety of measures, such as investing in renewable energy and developing plans for extreme weather events.

Electricity costs in Whatcom County, Washington are relatively high compared to the national average. The average residential customer in Whatcom County pays about $153 per month for electricity, which is about 21% higher than the national average of $126 per month.

There are a number of factors that contribute to the high cost of electricity in Whatcom County. One factor is the cost of fuel. The majority of electricity in Whatcom County is generated from natural gas, which is a relatively expensive fuel. Another factor is the cost of transmission and distribution. The cost of transmitting and distributing electricity to homes and businesses in Whatcom County is relatively high.

There are a number of things that residents of Whatcom County can do to reduce their electricity costs. One thing that residents can do is to conserve electricity. This can be done by making simple changes, such as turning off lights when they are not in use and unplugging appliances when they are not in use. Residents can also weatherize their homes to make them more energy-efficient. This can be done by sealing air leaks and installing insulation.

Residents of Whatcom County can also switch to a renewable energy provider. There are a number of renewable energy providers in Whatcom County, and many of them offer lower rates than the traditional utilities. Switching to a renewable energy provider can help to reduce your carbon footprint and save you money on your electricity bill.

The cost of electricity in Whatcom County is likely to continue to increase in the years to come. This is due to a number of factors, including the increasing cost of fuel and the increasing cost of transmission and distribution. Residents of Whatcom County can take steps to reduce their electricity costs, but they should expect to continue to pay more for electricity in the years to come.

Here are some additional tips for saving money on electricity:

• Compare rates from different providers: There are a number of different electricity providers in Whatcom County, and they all have different rates. It's worth comparing rates from different providers to find the best deal.
• Sign up for a budget billing plan: Many electricity providers offer budget billing plans, which can help you to avoid large fluctuations in your monthly bill. With a budget billing plan, your monthly bill will be based on an average of your usage over the past 12 months. This can help to smooth out the peaks and valleys in your usage and make your bills more predictable.
• Use energy-efficient appliances: Energy-efficient appliances use less electricity than older, less efficient models. When you're shopping for new appliances, look for the Energy Star label, which indicates that the appliance meets certain energy efficiency standards.
• Weatherize your home: Weatherizing your home can help to keep you comfortable all year round and reduce your energy costs. Caulk and seal air leaks around windows and doors, and add insulation to your attic and walls.
• Unplug electronics when you're not using them: Even when they're turned off, electronics can still use electricity. Unplug electronics when you're not using them to save energy.
• Wash clothes in cold water: Most of the energy used to wash clothes goes to heating the water. By washing your clothes in cold water, you can save a significant amount of energy.
• Air-dry your clothes: Instead of using the dryer, hang your clothes outside to dry. This will save energy and help to reduce your carbon footprint.
• Take shorter showers: Showers account for a significant portion of household water usage. By taking shorter showers, you can save water and energy.

By following these tips, you can save money on your electricity bill and reduce your impact on the environment.