Reminder: Request for energy assistance funding targets due Sept. 9
Commerce is requesting utilities submit their 2030 and 2050 energy assistance targets under RCW 19.405.120(4)(iii).
It was Commerce’s understanding during the last energy assistance data review process that utilities had not calculated their targets and Commerce offered to calculate them. A few utilities have since come forward with their targets and asked Commerce not to do the calculations.
The agency is honoring that request and asking utilities to submit their targets by Friday, Sept. 9.
If you have questions, don't hesitate to contact Austin Scharff at Austin.Scharff@Commerce.wa.gov.
 Commerce publishes first draft report on low-income energy assistance
Public comment deadline: Friday, Sept. 16
Commerce is requesting the public submit comments on its draft biennial energy assistance report by close of business Friday, Sept. 16. Submit comments electronically in both PDF and Word formats.
Commerce is also requesting utilities review the latest Sec. 120 utility program data file and draft summary of utility plans. This will ensure the files reflect the reports submitted earlier this year. Revisions should be highlighted within the files sent as an attachment. Please include an explanation of any suggested revisions in the body of the email.
If you have any questions as you review these files and prepare your comments, contact Austin Scharff at Austin.Scharff@commerce.wa.gov.
Public hearings on proposed state application for grid resilience formula program
Commerce will host two public hearings to collect feedback on the development of the Grid Resilience Formula Program. The program is being developed in response to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Funding Opportunity Announcement.
States, Washington D.C., U.S. territories and tribes are eligible to apply for formula grants designed for preventing outages and enhancing the resilience of the electric grid. Authorized through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the program will provide $459 million annually over a five-year period. The state application to DOE is due on Sept. 30, 2022.
The desired goal of this program is to enhance electric grid resilience for communities and aims to invest in projects that:
- Increase energy resilience and reliability
- Provide the greatest community benefit in reducing the likelihood and consequences of disruptions to the electricity grid
- Improve energy justice and equity
- Create good-paying jobs
Commerce is consulting with Converge Strategies LLC to provide an initial analysis of grid resilience needs in Washington and will present a summary of their findings from this work. Commerce will present a summary of the program application elements based on this analysis and take public comment.
Public hearing #1
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10 a.m. – noon Thursday, Sept. 15
Join on Zoom
Meeting ID: 874 7829 4692
Passcode: 467694
Dial by your location: +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 213 338 8477 US (Los Angeles)
+1 971 247 1195 US (Portland)
Find your local number
All meeting information and documents related to the program application will be posted in advance of the hearings on the Commerce IIJA webpage.
Written comments may be emailed to Sarah Vorpahl by close of business on Friday, Sept. 16.
Upcoming workshops
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2023 Biennial Energy Assistance Second Draft Report
1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27
Join on Zoom
Meeting ID: 853 6905 5765
Passcode: Assistance
Phone-in: +1 253 215 8782
Call-in passcode: 6965110255
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