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Sustainability
Teton County's leaders have long held a commitment to stewardship of our land, environment and community. We strive to become as environmentally sustainable as possible. Teton County is committed to reducing the environmental footprint of our internal operations as well as providing efficient services to county employees, residents and businesses. Our Sustainability team works across County government and strives continually improve our performance in all areas of focus.
If you have questions you can reach out to the Sustainability Coordinator, Erik Kimball, at (307) 732-8442 or ekimball@tetoncountywy.gov.
Climate Change and Greenhouse Gases
Teton County is committed to reducing our carbon footprint across our operations. Here are some of our policies and initiatives:
- Benchmarking facilities for Electricity, Natural Gas and Water Usage
- Purchasing Green Energy
- Evaluating fleet vehicle purchases for GHG impact as part of the purchase process and looking at GHG reduction for any vehicles we replace
- Examining opportunities for alternative fuels in vehicles - EVs, Plug-In Hybrids, Renewable Diesel, CNG
- Evaluating small motor usage and purchasing electric powered small engine equipment when possible
- Implementing facilities upgrades that focus on GHG reduction: LED lighting, timed lighting, building automation systems, passive energy upgrades to buildings, etc.
Teton Climate Action partnership
Teton County works with other government entities and community partners to participate in the Teton Climate Action Partnership, also known as TCAP. The TCAP mission is 'Equitable Net Zero Carbon in the Teton Region by 2030'. This collaborative framework amplifies efforts and creates opportunities to make meaningful change across multiple sectors.
Here is a link to the TCAP website. It has very useful dashboards using real data to estimate GHG emissions in our community.
Clean Energy in Teton County
100% Renewable Electricity From Hydroelectric
Beginning in October of 2013 Teton County began purchasing 100% renewable electricity from Lower Valley's Swift Creek low impact hydroelectric project in Afton, Wyoming.
Energy Conservation Works
Energy Conservation Works is a local joint powers board that works in partnership with the Town of Jackson, Teton County, Lower Valley Energy, and a wide spectrum of organizations to implement and advocate for energy conservation and emissions reduction in Jackson Hole. Here is a link to the Energy Conservation Works webpage.
On-Site Renewable Power Generation
Part of Teton County's strategy to reduce our environmental footprint includes on-site renewable power generation. Currently, Teton County has 6 grid tied photovoltaic systems as well as a solar thermal system at the Recreation Center.
Photovoltaic Systems
Teton County Library
- Installed in 2008
- 197 panels
- Produced 38.42 MWh in 2022
- View live production of the Library system
Town of Jackson Waste Treatment Plant (shared with the Town of Jackson)
- Installed in two parts - 2008 & 2010
- 846 panels
- Produced 725.65 MWh in 2022
- View live production of the Waste Treatment Plant system
Emergency Operations Center
- Installed in October 2014
- 27.6 kW System, (106) 260 watt panels
- Produced 25.37 MWh in 2022
- View live production of the Emergency Operations Center system
Recycling Center
- Installed in Summer 2015
- 46 kW System, 177 Panels
- Estimated annual production 61,831 kW per year
Fire/EMS - Station 7
- Installed in February 2016
- Produced 25.46 MWh in 2022
- View live production of the Fire/EMS Station 7 system
Fire/EMS - Station 1
- Installed in December 2021
- Produced 18.87 MWh in 2022
- View live production of the Fire/EMS Station 1 system
Waste in Teton County
Teton County, led by Teton County Integrated Solid Waste and Recycling (ISWR), is committed to reducing & diverting waste generated in Teton County from going to the landfill. In addition to providing these services, County facilities work to participate in all waste diversion programs wherever possible in our operations.
Here is a list of some of our projects. Follow the links for more detailed information on our efforts.
ZERO WASTE
In September of 2014 the Teton County Commissioners adopted a Zero Waste Resolution with a goal of diverting 60% of Jackson's waste from the landfill by 2030. For more information, please see the Road to Zero Waste webpage.
RECYCLING
ISWR has a robust list of items that can be recycled. A map of recycling locations can be found here.
A list of recyclable options is also available on the website or by downloading the interactive Recycle Coach app. The app is available for iOS and Android, and will answer any questions of What can be recycled in Teton County and Where it can be dropped off.
Composting
ISWR has a composting facility at the Trash Transfer Station and food scraps are accepted. A commercial compost pickup route exists and businesses are invited to participate. Personal compost is accepted at the Recycling Center for a cost of $2.00 for a 5 gallon bucket. You can find more information by clicking here.
Water
Water Conservation
Teton County is committed to reducing unnecessary use of water across our operations.
- We are installing low-low fixtures wherever possible in our facilities.
- We employ timing and moisture strategies to irrigation systems to reduce over-watering & loss from evaporation.
- We are evaluating and installing low-water landscaping and zero-scaping around County buildings.
- We are benchmarking our facilities to identify more opportunities for water conservation.
Water Quality
Teton County, along with partners, is developing a Water Quality Management Plan to protect our water resource and provide safe water for residents, visitors, and wildlife for years to come. Here is the mission statement for the plan.
Teton County is developing a 20-year vision and implementation Water Quality Management Plan that protects surface water and groundwater resources from future degradation and improves water quality where known degradation is occurring. The Plan will address management of wastewater, stormwater, and drinking water, as well as surface and groundwater resources.
Here is a link to the Water Quality Master Plan website.
Resiliency
Teton County is involved in WYAct, an initiative through the University of Wyoming to model future snowpack & water resources and prepare to be resilient in the face of changes to our climate and related systems across the West.
Wildlife preservation
Teton County respects the unique biodiversity and variety of wildlife that exists within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. We have several projects and initiatives to help preserve this important resource.
Wildlife Crossings & Fencing
Teton County and partners are developing wildlife crossings & fencing to preserve migration corridors and protect wildlife & motorists on our roads.
Bear Regulations
Teton County’s history, ecology and culture is inexorably intertwined with the black and grizzly bears that call this area home. Along with partners, the County has released Bear Regulations to prevent human-bear conflict.
Here is the link for the Teton County Bear Regulations website.
Additional Connections
Here is a list of local partners, non-profits, and resources for residents, businesses, and visitors. While valuable partners with many aligned goals, many of these organizations are independent from Teton County and express their own viewpoints in their materials. This is not a complete list of local entities, nor is it an endorsement of any particular entity. This list is maintained as a public resource.
Energy Conservations Works - A local joint powers board that works in partnership with the Town of Jackson, Teton County, Lower Valley Energy, and a wide spectrum of organizations to implement and advocate for energy conservation and emissions reduction in Jackson Hole.
Grand Teton National Park - Sustainability - Grand Teton National Park's sustainability webpage for visitors.
Town of Jackson - Sustainability - The Town of Jackson, WY sustainability webpage.
Jackson Hole Climate Action Collective - The Jackson Hole Climate Action Collective advocates to make Jackson, WY a net-zero community. They have released the citizen-produced Climate Action Roadmap, a living document to help guide climate advocacy in the Tetons.
The Mountain Neighbor Handbook - A local's guide to stewardship in the Tetons. It contains information and resources for residents on how to help preserve our environment and culture in Teton County.
Riverwind Foundation - The Riverwind Foundation unites efforts to minimize resident and visitor impacts on the Greater Yellowstone and other ecosystems - now and for future generations. They have two publications, Green Matters & the Sustainable Business Guide, which can be accessed by clicking here.
Sustainable Business Leaders - The Sustainable Business Leaders (SBL) program is Jackson Hole’s green business education, resource, and recognition program and membership-based association that has been managed by Teton County Integrated Solid Waste and Recycling (ISWR) since 2007. The Riverwind Foundation is Teton County ISWR’s community partner in managing the program, including conducting sustainability education and enrollment sessions with businesses and organizations.
Sustainable Destination Management Plan - The Jackson Hole Travel & Tourism Board is creating a Sustainable Destination Management Plan (SDMP). This framework allows our community to build out and act on goals, strategies, and metrics to better anticipate and respond to the dynamic nature of tourism to capture the greatest benefit for our businesses, community, and our environment.
Teton Climate Action Partnership - Teton County works with other government entities and community partners to participate in the Teton Climate Action Partnership, also known as TCAP. The TCAP mission is 'Equitable Net Zero Carbon in the Teton Region by 2030'. This collaborative framework amplifies efforts and creates opportunities to make meaningful change across multiple sectors.
Teton Conservation District - The Teton Conservation District is a state entity that works with the community to conserve natural resources through local projects, partnerships, research and education.
WYAct - Teton County is involved in WYAct, an initiative through the University of Wyoming to model future snowpack & water resources and prepare to be resilient in the face of changes to our climate and related systems across the West.
Yellowstone/Teton Clean Cities - YTCC is a County partner that works to advance alternative fuels, vehicles, infrastructure and sustainable transportation opportunities in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.