The Washington Department of Commerce awarded grants to 38 projects last week totaling $36.6 million to support the planning, design, and implementation of clean energy projects across the state. Part of Commerce’s Clean Energy Community Grants program, the projects will aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while delivering meaningful benefits to communities. Awarded projects include technologies such as rooftop solar, solar plus battery storage, carbon capture, ground source heat pumps, microgrids, and more.
“These projects strengthen energy resilience where it’s needed most,” said Commerce Director Joe Nguyễn. “Investing in local clean energy solutions helps communities stay safe, connected, and prepared for the future.”
Awards have been made in Bainbridge Island, Bellingham, Cowlitz County, Everett, Federal Way, Friday Harbor, Goldendale, Issaquah, King County, Kittitas County, La Conner, Lopez Island, Lynnwood, Oakville, Olympia, Seattle, Snoqualmie, Spokane, Sunnyside, Tacoma, Thorp, Tulalip, Tukwila, Tumwater, Twisp, Walla Walla, Wenatchee, Winthrop, and Yakima. Some of the projects include:
- Bellingham Technical & Everett Community Colleges- rooftop solar
- Port of Longview- Port of Longview’s Electrification Roadmap Project
- Multi-Service Center (Federal Way)- plan and design solar plus battery storage for housing assistance and food bank programs
- Swinomish Indian Tribal Community- solar plus storage to provide uninterrupted power to the IT/Medical Clinic
- Puget Sound Energy- electric school bus demonstration project benefitting Olympia School District and Snoqualmie Valley School District
- Yakima Chief Hops- CO2 recovery plant that will capture and repurpose carbon dioxide during the hop production process
This is the first round of awards from the new Clean Energy Community Grants program, funded by Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. Grant funding was awarded to planning or construction projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, use clean energy technology, and benefit overburdened populations. Approximately $5 million in additional grants are expected to be awarded later this spring.
Read more here: Commerce awards over $36 million for Clean Energy Community Grants – Washington State Department of Commerce