The Mountaineers
As an organization that cares deeply about a healthy future for our lands, waters, and communities, we have an obligation to respond to the climate crisis by aggressively reducing our impact on the environment. The Mountaineers is committed to reducing our organizational carbon footprint, toward the ambitious goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions for our facilities and operations.
Thanks to community programs and support from our members and volunteers, including strong leadership from our Carbon Footprint Reduction Committee, we’ve made great strides to address the carbon footprint of our facilities. We’ve begun to convert to alternate power sources and reduce energy consumption at Seattle and Tacoma Program Centers, as well as our lodges.
With the completion of the final phase of the Tacoma Program Center net zero project - solar installation and storage - this spring, the TPC is now our first net zero energy facility. Achieving this milestone wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and support of so many volunteers and donors across The Mountaineers, as well as our project partners: Tacoma Power, the City of Tacoma, the Washington Department of Commerce, and Artisan Electric. The TPC now serves as a model for other nonprofits and businesses looking to live out their climate values through carbon footprint reduction.
Reaching Net Zero in Tacoma
Our original Tacoma community center, built by volunteers in 1956 on land donated by a Mountaineers member, was first heated by wood-fired hearth, and modernized over the years. In 2021, we announced the Tacoma net zero energy project to replace and upgrade lighting and install energy-efficient appliances, solar panels, and storage capacity.
Now that we’ve reached net zero in Tacoma, we project to eliminate at least 6.5 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year - equivalent to taking one and a half gas-powered cars off the road for an entire year. We’ll also save an estimated $3,000 per year on utility costs, allowing us to invest in future energy-reduction projects to help us reach our net zero goal.
Phase I: LED Lighting
In January 2020, thanks to member donations and Tacoma Power’s Bright Rebates Program, volunteers completed the transition of all lighting at the TPC to energy-efficient LEDs. The new lighting system saves energy, operating and maintenance costs, and shines brighter on the programs and activities that bring the Tacoma Program Center to life throughout the year.
Phase II: Energy-Efficient Heating and Cooling
In December 2021, we replaced the TPC’s gas-powered furnaces and appliances with energy-efficient electric versions, greatly reducing the building’s reliance on fossil fuels. The building’s heat and hot water now run on electricity from Tacoma Power through heat pumps, which use less than half the electricity that electric furnaces require. These projects were made possible by an ambitious fundraising campaign, a generous donation by CFRC member Charlie & Carol Michel, and a rebate from Tacoma Power.
Phase III: Rooftop Solar + Storage
In late March of 2024, we completed the installation of a 30 kW solar photovoltaic system with 81 kWH Tesla Powerwall battery storage. The final phase of the project was made possible by an Evergreen Options grant from Tacoma Power, a Washington Department of Commerce Solar plus Storage grant, a tax credit from the federal Inflation Reduction Act, and Mountaineers donations. The generous support from a community of individual Mountaineers donors was critical to kicking off the funding for phase III of the project. Phase III of the project didn’t just get us to net zero; since the installation, we have now surpassed net zero, with an estimated annual surplus of 14,500 kWh of energy. That’s certainly something to celebrate.
One of the Tacoma Program Center’s Tesla powerwall batteries that allows the TPC to store excess energy. Photo by Steven Shortt, Tacoma Power.
Solar Celebration
Last week, Mountaineers members gathered for a Solar Celebration open house at the Tacoma Program Center to celebrate the completion of the solar installation and the entire net zero project. We were joined by partners from Tacoma Power, the City of Tacoma, the Washington Department of Commerce, and Artisan Electric.
A common theme shared during the event’s speaking program was the groundbreaking nature of this project. The TPC solar project is the first example of a community project completed with Climate Commitment Act and Solar plus Storage funding across the state. Attendees also heard from Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, Washington state Representative Jake Fey, and Washington state Senator Emily Randall about the importance of community-driven carbon footprint reduction work and the impact of Washington’s Climate Commitment Act.
While there is much to celebrate, the work is not over. "We’re partnering with the City of Tacoma, Tacoma Power, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to serve as a model of community resilience, and potentially use the TPC as an emergency response center for the wider Tacoma community,” shared Mountaineers Carbon Footprint Reduction Committee Chair, Geoff Lawrence.
Climate change is such a big, daunting challenge that it’s easy to get discouraged. “Projects like these and the partnerships that made it possible give me hope,” shared Mountaineers CEO Tom Vogl. “We sincerely appreciate the many people and organizations today that played a role in this milestone.”
Mountaineers Carbon Footprint Reduction Committee members, project partners, and elected officials cut a ribbon to celebrate the completion of the Tacoma net zero project. Photo by Steven Shortt, Tacoma Power.
Are you “In” for Net Zero?
The Mountaineers Carbon Footprint Reduction Committee is turning its focus to achieving net zero for our Seattle Program Center, which will save an estimated 7,260 therms of natural gas and 85,000 lbs of CO2 from being emitted into the atmosphere a year. This carbon savings is equal to taking eight gas-powered cars off the road each year. With additional funding, we will be able to add solar capacity and battery backup and install heat pumps at the Seattle Program Center.
If you’re inspired to invest your time, expertise, or dollars toward the goal of becoming a net zero organization, we’d love to hear from you. By making carbon footprint reduction a part of your Mountaineers journey, we can continue to build a community where recreationists shape a better future for our climate and communities. Support this important work today by making a gift to The Mountaineers Carbon Footprint Reduction Fund.
This project was made possible with funding support from Mountaineers members and the Solar plus Storage for Resilient Communities grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov
And by Evergreen Options, a Tacoma Power program funded by utility customers who support new renewable energy in the Pacific Northwest. If you purchase electricity from Tacoma Power, you can support renewable energy by enrolling in Evergreen Options at MyTPU.org/Evergreen. Tacoma Power’s hydroelectric generation portfolio is 97% carbon free. Hydroelectricity is a clean and renewable power source.
