News from Snohomish County Council

Dave Gossett
Snohomish County Council 3000 Rockefeller Ave., M/S 609
Everett, WA 98201
Office Location:
8th floor, Robert J. Drewel Bldg
Phone: 425-388-3494
E-mail:
Dave.Gosset@snoco.org
Cecilia Wilson, Legislative Aide

Dave Gossett's eNews

Snohomish County Council

3000 Rockefeller Ave., M/S 609

Everett, Washington 98201

Office: 8th floor, Robert J. Drewel Building

Phone: 425-388-3494

E-Mail: Dave.Gossett@snoco.org

Locally Grown and Produced Bio-Fuel
Will Drive County's Diesel Vehicles

On July 30th, the county council will consider approving a supplemental appropriation of $844,400 to provide additional expenditure authority to the county's Solid Waste division for the purchase and installation of machinery capable of processing locally-grown canola crops into bio-fuel for use in the county's diesel-powered vehicles.

"This program supports profitable farming in Snohomish County while also making a positive impact on the county's carbon footprint," said Councilmember Dave Gossett. "It's a true win-win."

The equipment being purchased includes a canola seed dryer and a seed crusher. The dryer will be fueled by methane gas drawn from the county's former Cathcart Landfill. Program and equipment costs are funded by grants from the federal Department of Energy and the State of Washington.

The county has been successfully operating its diesel fleet on bio-diesel for approximately three years - 144,000 gallons of bio-diesel in 2007 alone. In 2006, in cooperation with Washington State University, a 52-acre pilot program produced 120-170 gallons of canola oil per acre. Canola acreage is expected to grow to 400 acres this year. The ultimate target is 750 - 1000 harvested acres by 2010, at which point the county will achieve the goal of producing its own bio-fuel. Bio-fuel production is expected to begin this year.

The land being used to grow the canola crop is not taking farmland out of food crop production. Farmers are using canola to supplement existing crops. Most land being planted with canola has lain fallow or been unproductive.

Council Public Hearing: July 30, at 10:30 a.m. in the Jackson Board Room, 8th floor, Robert J. Drewel Building, 3000 Rockefeller Av., Everett. Call 425-388-3494 for more information.

See Ordinance No. 08-094

County Council Moves on Climate Change

A lot of people are talking about the risks of global climate change. State, federal, and international organizations are beginning to take action, and they are urging local governments to help.

Last month, the county council set the direction for future work by adding bold new policies to the county's comprehensive plan. The policies call for a two-pronged approach to climate change. One prong is to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. The other prong is to prepare for the changes that might come from future changes in climate.

There is a long way to go to understand and respond to the risks of climate change. With these new policies, the county is taking a major step forward to ensure a sustainable future and tackle the threat of climate change head on.

Top 10 in Usage

County's Prescription Drug Discount
Card Usage Among Highest in Nation

Snohomish County residents know a good deal when they see it - and use it. County residents' usage of free Prescription Drug Discount Cards is among the highest in the United States, according to the National Association of Counties (NACo), sponsor of the discount card program.

Snohomish County received an Oustanding Performance Award at NACo's July 3 national meeting.

The discount cards were introduced to Snohomish County in 2005 by County Councilmember Dave Gossett. June 2008 figures show local residents submitted over 3,200 prescriptions and received an average savings of almost $16 on each prescription - with a total countywide monthly savings of $127,703.36. Total savings here since 2005 are nearly $4 million. There is no cost to taxpayers for the program.

"It's very gratifying that so many people are receiving these valuable benefits," said Gossett, who now serves on NACo's Dental Discount Card Program Task Force, charged with reviewing proposals for implementing the new dental discount card program will be modeled after the Prescription Drug Discount Card.

The NACo prescription drug discount cards offer uninsured or underinsured consumers immediate, at-the-register discounts on their prescription drug purchases through a nationwide network of 57,000 participating pharmacists. The cards are free to obtain and easy to use. There are no age, health or income restrictions on who can use the cards and there are no registration forms the fill out.

For more information on this program, see Prescription Discount Card Overview.

Prescription Drug Discount Cards Still Available

To receive a free prescription drug discount card, please call the County Council office at 425-3883494, or e-mail county.council@snoco.org.

I hope you found this eNEWSLETTER to be informative and useful. You can make it even more valuable by suggesting topics and issues for future newsletters. Please contact me at 425-388-3494, or e-mail Dave.Gossett@snoco.org. If you would like to share this newsletter, select the Forward email link below.

Sincerely,

Dave Gossett
Snohomish County