Learn how Washington state is accelerating clean energy project development and helping projects overcome barriers to construction.
Since fall 2025, leaders from the Department of Commerce, the Department of Ecology, the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC), and the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) have been meeting to identify ways to accelerate clean energy projects following the repeal of federal tax credits for large scale wind and solar projects under Public Law 119-21.
On December 16, 2025, Governor Ferguson issued Executive Order 25-11 to help speed up clean energy projects ahead of the federal rollback of energy tax credits. Under the order, the Department of Commerce created the Joint Clean Energy Acceleration Team. The team meets monthly to:
- Track the progress of utility-scale wind and solar projects across in the state.
- Identify what work is needed to help projects qualify for federal tax credits before the deadlines set by the IRS in IRS Notice No. 2025-42.
The Executive Order also directs the Joint Clean Energy Acceleration Team to publish a list of large-scale onshore wind and solar projects in Washington that are under development and had submitted a formal SEPA application by November 2025. Review the wind and solar project list (PDF) online.
If you’re a developer with a project on the list and you would like to provide updated information or need help navigating next steps, please contact Daniel.Siemann@Commerce.wa.gov.
Three ways to permit clean energy projects
There are three permitting pathways for clean energy projects in Washington:
- Local government-led environmental review and permitting
- Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) process
- Department of Ecology’s Coordinated Clean Energy permitting process
Learn more about this process by reviewing pathway options for environmental review and permitting clean energy (PDF).
Additional steps to speed up clean energy permitting
Clean Energy Siting and Coordinating Council
Established in 2023, Commerce co-chairs the Interagency Clean Energy Siting Coordinating Council. The Council is comprised of state agencies and meets monthly to identify policy-level issues, coordinate among agencies, and discuss options for improving permitting processes. Please note that addressing project-specific issues is outside the Council’s scope.
Clean Energy Tax Credit Assistance Program (CETCAP)
Commerce offers free advice on securing federal tax credits for clean energy projects through our partner, Lawyers for Good Government, under the Washington Clean Energy Tax Assistance Program. To learn more and see if your organization qualifies for no-cost assistance, please visit the CETCAP webpage.
Clean energy siting and permitting grants
Commerce also offers Clean Energy Siting and Permitting grants to help communities improve planning and review processes, reduce barriers, and prepare for clean energy projects. These efforts make it easier to site and permit future facilities that are not yet under development and help build a strong pipeline of clean energy projects in Washington. Future funding for this program depends on legislative appropriations.
Commerce can support development of faster clean energy projects statewide
Commerce is available to help navigate the clean energy siting and permitting process. If you’re working on a utility-scale clean energy project of 20 megawatts or larger in Washington and are running into challenges, please reach out to Daniel.Siemann@Commerce.wa.gov.
Partner agency resources
Department of Ecology
The Department of Ecology launched an early planning process to assist clean energy developers. This helps identify potential issues and permitting requirements in the initial stages of project development. Ecology also completed programmatic environmental impact statements for utility-scale onshore wind and solar facilities. These environmental studies identify potential significant environmental impacts and ways to mitigate them. Developers can use the findings to help avoid and reduce impacts through siting and design choices. To learn more about Ecology’s work to support efficient and effective siting and permitting of clean energy projects, please visit Ecology’s Clean Energy page.
Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC)
The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) encourages potential project proponents to engage in a pre-application process with EFSEC staff prior to application. The pre-application process will ensure that the potential applicant is aware of the requirements for a complete application. The process can help avoid the need for major changes to facility plans, delays in the conduct of needed studies, expensive solutions to avoidable problems, and missed opportunities or delays in engaging state and local agencies, tribes, and other interested groups. Those interested in learning more about pre-application processes at EFSEC can send an email to efsec@efsec.wa.gov, and visit: EFSEC’s Pre-application page. To learn more about EFSEC processes in general, please visit the EFSEC website.
Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC)
In July 2025, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) opened Docket U-250534 to evaluate steps the UTC could take to address the changing landscape of federal incentive policies. Interested parties are invited to submit comments in the docket with suggestions for either UTC process improvements or utility actions to promote clean energy projects capable of capturing the benefits of expiring tax credits. Learn more about the UTC’s work on clean energy.