Public comment opportunity
Environmental Justice Assessment: Combined new renewable energy grant programs
The Washington Department of Commerce opened a public comment period today for an Environmental Justice Assessment (EJA) regarding potential impacts of five new grant programs.
These programs will be packaged into three consolidated clean energy grant solicitations for the 2023-25 state fiscal year:
-
Large-scale Solar Innovation: Funding for the planning and construction of solar arrays with single-site capacity to generate more than 100 kW or multi-site capacity of more than 1 Megawatt.
-
Dual Use Solar Pilot Grants: Funding for planning, pre-development, and installation of commercial, dual-use solar power demonstration projects.
-
Clean Energy Siting and Permitting: Funding to support siting and permitting of clean energy projects by port districts, counties, cities, towns, special purpose districts, any other municipal corporations or quasi-municipal corporations, and tribes throughout the state
-
Hard-to-Decarbonize Grants: Funding to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in hard-to-decarbonize sectors such as industry, aviation, and maritime. Grants will support projects that go beyond business-as-usual practices and prioritize compliance with state greenhouse gas reduction policies.
-
Community Solar Plus Storage: Funding for solar and battery storage community solar projects for public assistance organizations serving low-income communities. Priority for preferred sites as outlined by the budget proviso.
Background
EJ Assessments originated from Washington’s Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act, requiring covered agencies, including Commerce, to evaluate how "Significant Agency Actions" (defined in RCW 70A.02.010), such as the adoption and development of new grant programs, might impact communities and the environments they live in.
The purpose of this public comment period is to provide an opportunity to review our draft Environmental Justice Assessment that considers the potential environmental benefits and harms of these five new clean energy grant programs funded for state fiscal year 2023-25.
How to give input
Feedback can be given on any one of the programs specifically, or for the Environmental Justice Assessment as a whole. Feedback gathered will not necessarily alter the initial launch of these programs, but can be used for future solicitations.
Commerce is accepting public comments now through April 6, 2024. Attend a virtual feedback opportunity or comment in writing:
-
Virtual Feedback Session - March 27, 10-11 a.m.
All interested parties are invited to participate via Zoom. This opportunity is NOT a Q&A session, but a chance for attendees to provide direct feedback on the Environmental Justice Assessment. Answers to EJA or program solicitation questions will not be provided in this session.
To request accommodations, please contact Zachary Clayton at least 10 business days before the meeting if possible.
REGISTER for virtual comment session.
-
Submit comments in writing by April 6
Please email your comments to:
Zachary.Clayton@commerce.wa.gov.
Deadline to submit comments is 10 a.m. Pacific Time, April 6, 2024.
All comments are subject to public disclosure pursuant to Chapter 42.56 RCW.
|
