Continuing Education Opportunities – September and October 2026

It’s back to school season! Keep scrolling to see all the ways you can earn CM credits this fall, including opportunities for Ethics, Law, and Sustainability and Resilience CM credits. Check out our curated list of nationally relevant webinars, along with some Washington-specific learning opportunities brought to you by the APA Washington Puget Sound Section, MRSC, and the Puget Sound Regional Council.

Data Centers and Energy: Who Powers Them and Who Pays?

Description: As hyperscale data center development accelerates nationwide, communities are increasingly grappling with the extraordinary energy demands associated with these facilities. Data centers require enormous amounts of electricity, raising important questions about where that power comes from, how new generation and transmission infrastructure is developed, and who ultimately bears the costs.

This webinar provides a practical examination of the energy infrastructure and regulatory issues associated with hyperscale data center development. Panelists will explore how data centers meet their energy needs, how they engage with utilities, the role of utility regulators and rate cases, and the ways that new infrastructure and increased electricity demand can affect consumers' bills.

The discussion will also consider the planning implications of large energy users, including how communities can prepare their comprehensive plans, communicate with the public, and account for generation and transmission needs. Drawing on legal, policy, and planning perspectives, the panel will conclude with policy recommendations for addressing the energy impacts of data center development.

Description: This webinar will describe the basic contents and significance of the Federal Aviation Administration's Advisory Circular on Airport Land Use Compatibility Planning and assist planners in integrating airport land use compatibility topics into your community's planning processes.

"Turning the Tide" Through Effective Communication

Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Cost: Free

Location: Online

Organizer: APA Sustainable Communities Division

Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EHv7MipoRxmGlgrxMRpQRw#/registration

Implementing and Monitoring Local Climate Plans

Description: Washington’s 2023 Climate Planning Law (HB 1181) added a climate goal to the Growth Management Act and requires counties and cities to include a climate change and resiliency element in their updated comprehensive plans. However, plan adoption is only the first step. Successful implementation requires jurisdictions to track progress, evaluate outcomes, and adjust strategies over time.

This webinar will explore practical approaches for implementing climate elements and measuring progress. Presenters from state and local government and the private sector will discuss state requirements, implementation resources, performance metrics, reporting strategies, and local examples of climate mitigation and adaptation in action. Staff from the Washington State Department of Commerce will also provide updates on climate element reviews, grant funding, and common implementation questions.

TOOLBOX: Local Economic Development Efforts

Description: This TOOLBOX session will highlight a variety of economic development efforts from across the central Puget Sound region. PSRC staff will provide an overview of the Regional Economic Strategy and share key takeaways from a review of local comprehensive plan economic development elements. Staff from the cities of Shoreline, North Bend, and Lakewood will then highlight local initiatives related to placemaking, arts, public-private partnerships, and regional collaboration.

Update: Washington State Legislature and Planning, 2025 and 2026 Sessions

Description:  Join Tim Trohimovich, Director of Planning and Law, Futurewise for a comprehensive overview of what the Washington State Legislature has done for and to urban planners in the 2025 and 2026 legislative sessions.

Tim Trohimovich, currently the Director of Planning & Law, joined Futurewise in 2001. He focuses on policy, education, technical assistance, and land use and environmental law. He has over 30 years of planning experience. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), the Washington and Oregon Bar Associations, and the Bar Association of the United States Supreme Court. He co-wrote a chapter for Planning the Pacific Northwest published in 2015 by the American Planning Association. As part of his job, Tim reviews bills and prepares bill analysis, provides comments to legislators and interest groups, drafts amendments, makes recommendations on bills to support or bills Futurewise should request be vetoed. He also periodically testifies before the legislature. He also litigates the meaning of legislation before the Growth Management Hearings Board and the state appellate courts.

Description: Historic and vintage signs are more than relics of the past. They are community landmarks that contribute to local identity, cultural heritage, tourism, and economic development. This session explores best practices for preserving and regulating these iconic assets through case studies from communities across the country. Participants will learn practical approaches to overcoming regulatory barriers, supporting restoration efforts, and incorporating historic signs into broader placemaking and downtown revitalization initiatives. Drawing on examples from Utah and beyond, the session will also provide historical context on the evolution of vintage signs and their enduring role as valued cultural and community assets. Attendees will receive a complimentary copy of Sign Research Foundations’ Saving Historic & Vintage Signs.

Federal Planning Trends and Installation Planning

Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Cost: Free

Organizer: APA Federal Planning Division

Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ybo_FkK7Tt-GxNEJ1EvZjQ#/registration

Description: The session will include federal planner speakers discussing topics such as the history of federal planning, military installation planning guidance, and federal trends. The Federal Planning Division aims to increase federal planning visibility among the broader American Planning Association membership. The Federal Planning Division is a community of professionals dedicated to supporting comprehensive planning and land management policies, techniques, and procedures for federal properties located within the United States and overseas.

Explore more CM credit opportunities using the CM Search function on the APA website.

Stay Connected

For questions or to share ideas for future training opportunities, contact Katie Enders, APA WA Continuing Education Chair, at [email protected].