WA STATE DEPT. OF COMMERCE: Solar Plus Regional Initiative Wins $2 Million Grant from US Department of Energy

News release dated 10. 20. 16
Three-year joint effort to develop strategies for increasing solar energy, modernizing energy infrastructure in Washington and Oregon will launch this year.
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Solar Plus, a joint effort of more than a dozen stakeholder groups in Washington and Oregon has been awarded a $2,050,000 SunShot grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to further deployment of solar energy in the Pacific Northwest. It is the largest of the 17 awards totaling $21 million announced today.
Washington State is also one of 11 states in the Western Interstate Energy Board (WIEB), which received the second largest grant award of $2,020,000. The WIEB is based in Denver, CO.
The Solar Plus initiative will convene leaders from utilities, regulators, the Washington State Energy Office at the Department of Commerce, the Oregon Department of Energy, the solar industry and community-based organizations to develop a plan to tap into our region’s unique opportunities to develop solar and provide greater access.
The $2,050,000 grant is matched with additional cost-share commitments from partners. Over three years launching later this year, Solar Plus will look beyond energy generation to additional solar value streams, through three main focus areas:
· Deploying more community shared solar projects in the region
· Creating opportunities for increased resilience and access to solar for low-income communities
· Maximizing the social and electricity grid value of solar development
“Ensuring a clean energy future is vital to strengthening communities, and these awards recognize our leadership in renewable energy development,” said Gov. Jay Inslee. “We are excited to guide this effort convened by Northwest SEED and supported by a diverse group of public and private partners representing the needs and interests of our entire region.”
“Solar Plus will equitably grow the solar market in the Northwest and move us towards the energy grid of the future. Our community-driven approach seeks to triple the amount of solar, decrease costs, and double the solar jobs in the region by 2020,” said Jennifer Grove, Executive Director, Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development (Northwest SEED).
Solar Plus will advance the broad-based goals set forth in the 2016 Governors’ Accord for a New Energy Future: diversify our energy generation, expand clean energy sources and modernize our energy infrastructure.
ref. http://www.commerce.wa.gov/news-release-solar-plus-regional-initiative-wins-2-million-grant-from-us-department-of-energy/

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News NOTEBOOK:

State minimum wage campaign: Is initiative best way to hike pay?
Initiative 1433 would raise the hourly minimum wage in Washington by roughly $4 over three years, to $13.50.---PDN


CITY OF PORT ANGELES RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES CAN ENTER A DRAWING FOR A FREE DUCTLESS HEAT PUMP
The City of Port Angeles and Clallam PUD No. 1 will host their fourth Improve The Odds (ITO) Talks on Wednesday, October 26 from 5:30-7:30 pm. The Talk will take place in the Vern Burton Auditorium located at 308 E. 4th St, Port Angeles, WA.
Port Angeles residents and commercial businesses can register in a drawing for one of two ductless heat pumps (DHP). Two DHPs will be given away; one for a residential home and one to a commercial business located within Port Angeles. The value of the ductless heat pump is up to $4,500.
Representatives of the local electric utility’s Energy Efficiency programs will unveil a new commercial incentive to decrease the cost of HVAC systems for local commercial businesses. How both residential and commercial ductless heat pumps work, quality installation guidelines, what energy savings you may expect, and available utility rebates and incentives to help defray purchase and installation costs will also be discussed.
The Improve The Odds Talk will discuss how you can improve the odds of increased home comfort and a lower utility bill by heating your home with a ductless heat pump. Ductless heat pumps are a proven efficient technology for heating and cooling homes and buildings which may save a homeowner up to 50% on their electric bills compared to a forced air furnace.
Representatives of local heating and cooling companies will be on hand to demonstrate their products and answer questions. Free refreshments will be provided.
ref. http://wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/civicalerts.aspx?AID=343