Four utility projects will advance Washington state’s leading efforts in clean and renewable energy technology innovation for building a more efficient, resilient and economical power grid. OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce has selected four proposed electric grid modernization projects to receive grants from the Washington Clean Energy Fund. Pending final contracts, Avista, Orcas Power and Light, Puget Sound Energy and Tacoma Power are eligible for a total of…
On April 3, Commerce hosted more than 60 attendees, both in person and by webinar and call-in, at an information session for people interested in helping to shape the important upcoming Electrification of Transportation Systems (ETS) Grants Program, supported by the Clean Energy Fund. The ETS program will provide grants to Washington local governments and retail electric utilities for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The program aims to support eligible applicants…
The National Governor’s Association (NGA), along with the Embassy of Canada, Denmark and Australia, hosted a two day summit in Washington D.C., highlighting three emerging technologies: offshore wind, energy storage and carbon capture utilization and storage. The summit examined how innovative activities and policies from each country foster deployment and development for these technologies. Attendees included the Governor of Connecticut, the newly appointed Ambassador of Denmark as well as high…
The Farm’s Ribbon Cutting and Tour is scheduled to be held on April 16. Vashon Bioenergy Farm is a community-scale bioenergy system on Vashon Island. The project, through Impact Bioenergy, was funded under the Clean Energy Fund II for RD&D, Sustainable Energy Trust, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, and great partners on Vashon. For every ton of “waste” that would otherwise have been long-haul exported, the NAUTILUS…
The 2019 National Home Performance Coalition (HPC) Conference and Trade Show was held in Chicago this past week. The conference was an exciting and informational experience for attendees, focusing on weatherization and networking opportunities. Washington state was represented by Department of Commerce employees Donn Falconer, Britt Pomush, Laura Viik and Vince Schueler from the Washington State University Energy Program. Washington’s Weatherization Network had representatives from the Community Action Council of…
The 2019 Biennial Energy Report has been published and is ready for reading. This years report provides analysis in: Deep decarbonization and electrification Energy efficiency and renewable energy Updated fuel mix disclosure mechanism Equity considerations in the clean energy transition Energy resilience Investment Regional energy issues
It’s been a busy start to 2019 for Commerce’s Weatherization Plus Health program. We’ve participated in several regional and national forums and shared the structure and results of our Plus Health work providing lasting home and client health improvements. Dec. 17, Vince Schueler, our WSU Energy Program Evaluation partner, shared results of our evaluation with a Working Group of Vermont, Connecticut, and New York weatherization programs working on development of…
In late January, Commerce’s Weatherization Plus Health Program, and partners Washington State University Energy Program, Pierce County Human Services (Weatherization Program), and Tacoma/Pierce County Health Department released an analysis of the Weatherization Plus Health Partnership work done in Pierce County from 2016 – 2018. The partnership built on earlier collaborations between Pierce County Human Services and the Tacoma/Pierce County Health Department’s asthma outreach program. For the Plus Health partnership, the…
Commerce’s Weatherization Plus Health and the Washington State University (WSU) Energy Program are bringing on new research partners – Three3, Ellen Tohn and Associates and the National Center for Healthy Homes (NCHH). This team of national experts will help Commerce and the WSU Energy Program detail improved health outcomes to clients receiving Weatherization Plus Health services and estimate health benefit values. Over the next six months this team will develop:…
The final review of RD&D applications is underway and Commerce anticipates announcing awardees the week of Feb. 21. The Solar Deployment application period closed on Dec. 3 and are currently under review. Additional applications are being accepted, with a review timeframe pending. Grid Modernization application period closed Dec. 28. We received five applications. After going through the review period, awardees will be announced on Feb. 20. Electrification of Transportation (ET)…