King County SCAP: What EPDs Mean Now
Selling into public projects around Seattle just got more specific. King County’s 2025 Strategic Climate Action Plan tightens expectations for low‑carbon materials and keeps embodied carbon on the procurement checklist. If your team makes concrete, steel, glass, wood, or insulation, your product data needs to show up ready for selection, not after the bid clock starts ticking.
The plan, in plain English
King County’s updated Strategic Climate Action Plan sets countywide emission reduction targets of 50% by 2030, 75% by 2040, and 95% by 2050 versus a 2007 baseline (the county code names these targets explicitly) (King County Code, 2025). Those numbers shape how agencies budget, design, and buy materials for capital projects.
Why manufacturers should care
Buildings and construction drive nearly 40% of regional greenhouse gas emissions, which is why public buyers are zeroing in on materials data, not just specs and price (King County Executive Climate Office, 2024). The county also secured a 50 million dollar federal grant to accelerate decarbonization in buildings, including actions that touch embodied carbon and deconstruction. That funding signals more projects, more reporting, and tighter expectations for product documentation in bids (same source, 2024).
EPDs for concrete are no longer optional here
King County’s climate action roadmap has phased in concrete EPDs and set the stage for maximum GWP thresholds on mixes for county projects. The timeline called for requesting EPDs in bids by 2022, requiring them by 2023, and enforcing maximum GWP limits beginning in 2025 (Local Climate Actions Toolbox, 2024). If the exact numeric limits vary by project, the procurement direction is consistent. No EPD means a slower, riskier path to award.
What “good enough” looks like in bids
A product‑specific, third‑party verified Type III EPD aligned to the right PCR, published by a recognized program operator, and current through the bid period. Mix‑level EPDs for concrete should reflect plant‑specific cement content, SCMs, admixtures, and transport. For other categories like steel, glass, and wood, expect the same rigor. If default factors get used in place of product‑level data, your submittal wears a weight vest in the scoring.
Fast path to compliant EPDs, without the scramble
Treat EPD creation like any other gated product launch. Pick a reference year, lock data owners, confirm the prevailing PCR in your category, and decide on the program operator early. A capable LCA partner does the heavy lifting on data wrangling across plants, utilities, and ERP exports, then project‑manages verification so your team isn’t trapped in spreadsheet limbo. That saves engineering hours and keeps manufacturing leaders focused on throughput, not paperwork.
Concrete suppliers, read this twice
Procurement teams in King County expect to see mix‑specific EPDs in the bid file, not a promise to provide later. Cement substitutions, SCM strategies, and transportation distances swing GWP meaningfully. If mixes for pavements, flatwork, and structural elements use different designs, publish separate EPDs. Dont assume a generic plant EPD will cover every mix a project requires.
Neighbor effects amplify the stakes
Seattle and neighboring jurisdictions are pushing building performance policies that raise the floor on emissions reporting and reductions. When owners and agencies compare submittals, the materials package with clear, verified EPDs sidesteps pessimistic default factors and lands closer to selection. Think of it like streaming in HD instead of standard definition. The clarity sells.
Three quick moves if King County is on your 2026–27 pipeline
- Map which SKUs project teams actually specify and confirm whether each has a current EPD. If not, queue those first.
- Cross‑check the PCRs competitors use. Align where it helps comparability, and time renewals to avoid expiring during bid season.
- Pre‑talk with the intended program operator so verification timelines match your delivery calendar. Simpler now than mid‑RFP.
The commercial takeaway
King County’s SCAP turns embodied‑carbon reporting from nice‑to‑have into table stakes. EPDs reduce friction in procurement, protect margin by avoiding blanket penalties from default values, and keep products in the running when GWP caps apply. The ROI is defintely there because even one mid‑sized award can outweigh the cost of doing the work well.
Frequently Asked Questions
What numeric emission reduction targets does King County’s plan use and where are they documented?
50% by 2030, 75% by 2040, and 95% by 2050 relative to 2007, documented in county code 18.25.010 (King County Code, 2025).
Are concrete EPDs required on King County capital projects?
Yes. The county’s climate roadmap phased in EPD requests in 2022, required them in 2023, and moved to enforce maximum GWP thresholds starting in 2025 for county construction projects (Local Climate Actions Toolbox, 2024).
How big is the funding push behind regional building decarbonization?
King County announced a 50 million dollar grant to cut building emissions across four counties, with buildings near 40% of regional emissions (King County Executive Climate Office, 2024).
About the Author
Eric works at the intersection of sustainability, regulation, and business strategy, helping manufacturers navigate the evolving landscape of EPDs and LCAs. Having spoken with hundreds of teams across North America, brings a deep understanding of what drives ROI, what regulators are asking for, and how companies can stay ahead with smart, scalable approaches to environmental reporting.
