The Clean Energy Siting and Permitting (CESP) Grants Program supports faster, more efficient, and equitable siting and permitting processes for clean energy projects in Washington state.
The program helps local governments, tribal governments, and other eligible public entities plan, coordinate and prepare for clean energy development, while ensuring environmental protection, community engagement, and alignment with state climate and energy goals.
Grants for the 2025-2027 biennium
In total, approximately $4.85 million is available for the 2025-2027 funding round. Commerce will award multiple grants to qualifying projects, ranging from $30,000 to $1.2 million.
The CESP program provides targeted funding to reduce barriers to clean energy development, increase local capacity, and promote more timely and efficient permitting processes. These efforts help communities prepare for and attract clean energy investments, while aligning with Washington’s 2021 State Energy Strategy, the HEAL Act, and other related policies.
Projects cannot negatively impact tribal rights or resources and must comply with Executive Order 21-02 (PDF).
Who is eligible?
Applicants must be one of the following:
- Port Districts
- Counties
- Cities and Towns
- Public Utility Districts
- Other Municipal Corporations
- Quasi-municipal corporations
- Federally recognized tribes
Applicants (unless a federally recognized tribe) must be licensed to do business in Washington or commit to obtaining a license within 30 calendar days of selection. All applicants must be in good standing with applicable federal, state and local requirements.
What projects are eligible?
Projects must directly improve clean energy siting and permitting processes in Washington. Examples include:
- Pre-development work for clean energy project sites
- Land use studies and planned actions
- Programmatic environmental impact statements (EIS)
- Hiring staff or consultants to speed up permitting
- Improving permitting workflows and interagency coordination
Projects must be consistent with the State Energy Strategy (RCW 43.21F) and related energy and climate policies.
Which projects are most competitive?
Priority will be given to applicants that:
- Are jurisdictions that have received, reviewed or proposed a permitting application since 2022 for clean energy projects of at least 10 megawatt capacity (renewable, non-emitting, energy storage, or a combination)
- Are tribes or their authorized representatives
- Demonstrate project readiness with a detailed plan to start immediately upon award
- Present clear objectives with a feasible, detailed plan including necessary pre-development work
- Focus specifically on clean energy siting and permitting within Washington
Timeline
- September 3, 2025: Application opened
- September 3-September 18: Q&A period
- October 9, 2025: Applications due by 11:59 a.m.
- November 2025: Awards announced
- December 2026: Earliest contract start date
Period of performance
Contracts will begin as soon as executed and end June 30, 2027.
The Climate Commitment Act (CCA) supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.