Washington State Energy Office
Strategic Goal: Advance practical energy policies and support energy technology research, demonstration and deployment, partnering with private sectors to accelerate economic development and enhance environmental quality.
Services
- Develop the State Energy Strategy to promote competitive energy prices, meet the state’s greenhouse gas reduction requirements and foster a clean energy economy.
- Administer the Clean Energy Fund, the Energy Efficiency and Solar Fund and several federal programs providing loans and grants to companies and individuals for smart grid, energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean energy research, development and deployment.
- Regional energy policy planning through membership in five western state groups.
- Produce energy analysis and information which includes legislative reports.
- State lead for energy supply and security planning and response during emergencies.
- Coordinate efforts to support economically viable and environmentally sustainable bio-energy development.
State Energy Office News
CEF Project Highlight – OPALCO Decatur Island Microgrid
OPALCO’s Battery Storage Project was funded in part by a $1 million Grid Modernization grant from Commerce’s Clean Energy Fund (CEF). The microgrid OPALCO built on Decatur Island includes a battery storage project paired with a Community Solar Array. The battery storage project is a one-megawatt, 2.6 MWh large-scale battery that can operate independently from the grid and power approximately 500 homes for up to 4 hours. The goals of
CEF Project Highlight – Horn Rapids Solar, Storage & Training Project in Richland
Funded in part by a $3 million grant from the Washington State Clean Energy Fund, Energy Northwest has powered up its Horn Rapids Solar, Storage & Training Project in Richland. This project provides Washington state its first opportunity to integrate a utility-scale solar and storage facility. The facility combines solar generation with battery storage and technician training. The 20-acre project provides 4 megawatts of direct-current electricity — enough energy to
Washington State volunteers for US Department of Energy led initiative to standardize how utilities report outages
Washington State has volunteered to be the pilot state for the Outage Data Initiative Nationwide (ODIN) program, an initiative led by the US Department of Energy (DOE) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Currently, during power outage incidents, outage data from utilities is fragmented and poorly standardized. Many utilities choose to display outage information on their websites, while others only post updates to social media, and some do not share information
Weatherization Workforce Roadmap for Washington State
Washington State University has released the Weatherization Workforce Roadmap for Washington state. The report describes the key workforce challenges facing Washington’s low-income weatherization program agency employers and subcontractors. The roadmap also offers potential solutions and actions that can enhance the availability, preparation and ongoing development of a skilled weatherization workforce in Washington state. Recent research shows that demand for energy efficiency-related employment, including weatherization, has greatly exceeded the availability of
Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA) Update for August 2019
The Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA) (SB 5116) was implemented in May 2019. It commits Washington to an electricity supply free of greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. CETA Rulemaking Commerce has submitted a Preproposal Statement of Inquiry (CR-101) to solicit public comments on CETA rulemaking. Rulemaking Workshop on August 22 Agenda, Webinar Option and Parking Information (pdf) Please RSVP: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RSVP0822 Two previous stakeholder workshops were hosted on July 30 and Aug. 1 to
Appliance Efficiency Standards Update for August 2019
Appliance efficiency standards represent a cost-effective strategy to protect consumers and businesses, strengthening the state’s clean energy economy. Efficiency products save energy and water, reduce long-term operating costs and cut greenhouse gas emissions. Seventeen new products have been added to state standards. Rules Development Commerce has submitted a Preproposal Statement of Inquiry (CR-101) to solicit public comment on the appliance standards rulemaking before they begin a formal process. The existing rules, WAC 194-24,
2019 Clean Energy Legislation
Electric Utility Resources
Resources
- 2019 Biennial Energy Report (PDF)
- DSIRE Incentive Database (website)
- Electric Transportation in WA
- Energy Emergencies
- Energy Facility Siting: Strategies and Resources (August 2021)
- Electric Transportation in WA
- PCC Benchmarking Policy Plan 2018 (DOC)
- Power and Conservation Council (website)
- Promoting Renewable Natural Gas in Washington State (PDF)
- Renewable Natural Gas Roadmap for WA State (PDF)
- Transportation and Fuels
- Washington Implementation Model: Washington’s Clean Energy Roadmap (PDF)
Carbon Policy Resources
Need Help?
Michael Furze, Assistant Director
Michael.furze@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: 360-725-2950