City of Olympia, WA

07/08/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/08/2025 17:49

07/08/2025 - July 2025 Climate Newsletter

Washington State Department of Ecology Announces Funding Opportunity for EV Charging

The Washington State Department of Ecology is opening another round of the Charge Where You Are: Level 2 EV Charging grant to help increase Level 2 charging access in places across Washington where drivers are likely to spend at least one to four hours.

Grant applications are scored based on criteria measuring the surrounding area, including the degree of environmental health disparities, air pollution exposure, proximity to existing chargers, whether a location is rural and median household income. The grant application period is from July 8 to August 21, 2025.

Eligible projects for this funding opportunity include public charging, multi-family residential buildings, workplace/fleet and other types of electric vehicle charging. The grant will cover up to $10,000 per charging plug with different coverage percentages, depending on use and location.

To learn more about this funding opportunity, visit the Washington Department of Ecology website.
Learn More

Sign up for a DIY Bike Repair Night with Intercity Transit

Get your bike rolling in time for summer! Intercity Transit is hosting DIY Bike Repair Nights as part of their Walk N Roll program on the first Thursday of every month from 5 to 8 p.m.

Community members can schedule to come to the Walk N Roll Educational Bike Shop to work on their personal bikes. Participants will have access to professional stands, tools, and the knowledge and assistance of Walk N Roll's bike mechanic volunteers and bicycle mechanic educator.

This is an opportunity to learn how to work on your own bike. We won't work on it for you; instead, we will help you learn while you fix your bike. If you are comfortable working alone, you are welcome to use the space and tools independently.

If you would like to reserve a spot at a DIY Repair Night, please email walknroll@intercitytransit.com with the following information:
  • Your name and contact information.
  • The date you hope to attend. (Please check the Walk N Roll Calendar for the DIY Bike Repair Night schedule.)
  • A picture of your bike.
  • Information about what needs to be repaired.
  • How much assistance you will need.
Learn More

Tips to Beat the Heat and Stay Safe from Wildfire Smoke this Summer

Summer is here, and that means hot and dry weather for Olympians. Because Washington summers are getting longer and hotter, the potential for dangerous conditions is also greater. To help you stay safe, check out Thurston County Public Health and Social Services' tips for avoiding hazardous heat and wildfire smoke.

For safety in hot weather:
  • Extreme-heat events are periods of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for at least two to three days.
  • Stay indoors and in air-conditioned environments as much as possible. Cooling centers will be open and available during extreme heat events. Check online at the Thurston County Emergency Management website to see their hours. If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine. Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun.
  • Plan strenuous outdoor activities for early or late in the day when temperatures are cooler. Take frequent breaks when working outdoors.
  • Become familiar with the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses.
  • Check in frequently on people who are elderly, ill or may need help. If you might need help, arrange to have family, friends or neighbors check in with you at least twice a day throughout warm-weather periods.
For safety in wildfire smoke:
  • Check current air quality regularly. Air quality conditions can change quickly.
  • Avoid strenuous outdoor activity. Minimize all outdoor activity until the air is clear.
  • Keep your indoor air clean by setting your air conditioner to recirculate. Use a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your furnace or make your own low-cost clean air fan. Change the filter at the beginning of summer to be prepared.
For more tips related to staying safe this summer, including tips in Spanish, Chinese, Korean and other languages, visit the Washington State Department of Health website.
Learn More

New Electric Vehicles for the Olympia Fire Department

Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Olympia. That's why the City of Olympia is working to electrify our fleet vehicles and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

As part of this effort, the Olympia Fire Department purchased two Nissan Leafs to support operations in our Fire Marshal's Office and Community Assistance Referral and Education Services (C.A.R.E.S.) program. The City has also installed a new electric vehicle charging station to help accommodate our growing electric vehicle fleet.

The C.A.R.E.S. program offers a pathway between emergency services and applicable social service support programs. C.A.R.E.S. supports the needs of our community by providing short-term case management services and tailored treatment planning that meets individual needs.
Learn More
Contact
Dr. Pamela Braff, Climate Programs Director
City Manager's Office
360.753.8249
pbraff@ci.olympia.wa.us
City of Olympia, WA published this content on July 08, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 08, 2025 at 23:49 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at support@pubt.io