Seven grants totaling $4.76 million have been awarded to projects to enhance clean energy in rural communities, including the Sunnyside Renewable Natural Gas Project.
The grants were announced by the Washington State Department of Commerce, with funding coming from the State’s Clean Energy Fund.
The funding will result in improved air and water quality or soil health, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and local economic benefits according to a Commerce press release announcing the grants.
“The clean energy economy is rich with opportunities for every corner of Washington state, as evidenced by the innovative project proposals from these rural communities,” said Commerce Director Mike Fong.
According to a press release from Pacific Ag, Sunnyside RNG will run agricultural crop residue and manure from dairy farms through digesters to produce methane that will be treated and then interjected into the interstate natural gas pipeline.
Rural Clean Energy Innovation Grants:
- $500,000 to Pacific Ag Renewables in Sunnyside for the Sunnyside Renewable Natural Gas Project.
- $1 million o Colville Retail Marijuana Sales (Nespelem, Okanagan County) the K’Wusm project, which will fund a Solar-Generating Greenhouse for Cultivation and Community Services.
- $412,588 to Farm Power Lynden LLC (Custer, Whatcom County) for a hydrogen sulfide scrubber and generator as part of the Low-Carbon Community Digester Restart project.
- $1 million to FPE Renewables (Lynden, Whatcom County) for the Installation of Additional High-Efficiency Generating Capacity for Improved Electric Vehicle Fuel Sales.
- $598,800 to Public Utility District No. 1 of Skagit (Mount Vernon, Skagit Count) for the Mount Vernon High School Energy Recovery Demonstration project.
- $990,880 to Spokane Tribe of Indians (Wellpinit, Stevens County) for Energy Efficiency and Decarbonization Overhaul for the Spokane Tribe Administrative Building.
- $258,092 to the Town of Winthrop (Winthrop, Okanagan County) for the Winthrop Library solar project.
According to the Department of Commerce the grant awards are conditional based on final project agreements and performance-based contracts.
