The Maple Valley City Council approved a resolution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at its July 25 meeting.

Steve Clark, public works director for Maple Valley, proposed the resolution for both environmental reasons and to help the city meet new state requirements which are set to take effect in seven years.

A new state law requires all jurisdictions to have their publicly operated vehicles be 100 percent reliant on electricity from bio fuels by June 1, 2018.

“It’s a criteria you are trying to bring to the forefront,” Clark said. “Everyone needs to be aware of it.”

Resolution No. R-11-821 “authorizes city staff to adopt a work plan to achieve a sustainable transportation system in which reliance on petroleum fuel is greatly reduced or entirely eliminated, if practicable,” according to the July 18 minutes.

This includes measures such as creating new policies and regulations for purchasing city vehicles, the creation of electric car infrastructure and reducing single-passenger occupancy in vehicles by encouraging public transportation, carpooling, bicycling and walking by the public.

Clark explained various funding agencies, such as the state Department of Transportation Improvement Board, use the amount of greenhouse gas emissions created by city vehicles as a determining factor in where state grants go.

Cities that have passed resolutions like Maple Valley increase the likelihood of receiving a grant.

“As a result (of the resolution), they’re going to give us a better credit scoring on the grant applications,” Clark said.

For the time being, the city will create higher fuel efficiency standards for future vehicles purchased.

Another section of the ordinance stated future contracts will encourage contractors to use fuel efficient vehicles and equipment and recycling construction materials.