The Washington State Department of Commerce and the City of Seattle have allocated nearly $75 million in funding for community-led clean energy projects and climate-related job training programs. The Commerce grants, totaling $72.6 million, will support solar development, hydrogen fueling, electric microgrids, and more in counties across the state. The City of Seattle is investing over $2.2 million to recruit and train individuals from marginalized communities for construction and clean energy jobs, aiming to equip those disproportionately affected by climate change with the tools to respond as the world continues to warm.
Leaders in Washington state and Seattle have set ambitious carbon reduction goals, with Seattle aiming to reach zero emissions by 2050 and decarbonize all city-owned buildings by 2035. Additionally, in May, Commerce awarded Seattle $3.2 million to support appliance upgrades for small businesses. The City of Seattle has awarded funds to six programs within five organizations, providing training for at least 260 Priority Hire employees, which supports workers from economically disadvantaged communities. The effort also includes partnerships with local companies to place workers in construction and clean energy jobs.
Funding for the grants came from Seattle’s controversial payroll expense tax, which supports affordable housing and other efforts to support lower-income residents. Commerce dispersed 71 grants across 24 counties for clean energy installations, all of which have an environmental justice component. The funding for these awards comes from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act, a progressive measure backed by Gov. Jay Inslee that caps carbon emissions and requires businesses to pay for the right to pollute. Initiative 2117, on the November ballot, would eliminate the act and the climate funding it generates.
Some of the Commerce grant awardees include the Toppenish School District in Yakima, which received $1.7 million for renewable energy projects at Valley View Elementary School, the Port Angeles Food Bank, which received $321,516 for sustainable power upgrades, and the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation in King County, which received $2.2 million to decarbonize the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center in Seattle’s Discovery Park. The City of Walla Walla also received $2.5 million for a project to power the city’s water treatment operations with solar energy.
Overall, these grants and programs aim to directly address the impacts of climate change, empower marginalized communities, and work towards achieving ambitious carbon reduction goals in Washington state and Seattle. By investing in clean energy projects and providing job training opportunities, the government agencies and organizations involved are taking meaningful steps towards a sustainable and equitable future for all residents of the state. Governor Jay Inslee has shown strong support for these initiatives, emphasizing the importance of immediate action to combat climate change and build a more resilient and environmentally conscious society.
