U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm visits Washington
- On February 22-23, U.S. Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm will travel to Moses Lake, Washington to highlight how President Biden's industrial strategy for clean energy is catalyzing private investment in advanced batteries and ensuring that emerging technologies help create clean, good paying jobs that bolster the domestic energy supply chain.
- The Secretary will also engage with private sector stakeholders in Seattle, Washington to discuss how Department and the private sector can work together on AI-related technologies.
Strengthening Washington's Economy
Energy Jobs
- In 2022, there were already 144,624 Washington workers employed in the energy sector.
- Statewide, 75% of the electric power generation workforce was in wind, solar, and hydroelectric, and over 58,700 workers were employed in energy efficiency.
- The Inflation Reduction Act will expand these opportunities, bringing an estimated $5.3 billion
- of investment in large-scale clean power generation and storage to Washington between now and 2030.
Small Businesses
- Washington is home to 644,868
- small businesses, representing 99.5% of all businesses and employing 49% of all workers in the state, and the Inflation Reduction Act will help them save money. Commercial building owners can receive a tax credit up to $5 per square foot to support energy efficiency improvements that deliver lower utility bills. Other programs that will benefit small businesses include tax credits covering 30% of the costs of installing low-cost solar power and of purchasing clean trucks and vans for commercial fleets.
Clean Energy Investment
- Washington has a statewide goal of 100% zero-emissions electricity by 2045. Currently, Washington has 3.6 GW
of solar, wind, and storage capacity. There is 286 MW of additional planned clean energy capacity in the works, which will power more than 44,600 additional homes. The Inflation Reduction Act tax credits that encourage investment in wind and solar will help reduce energy costs, as the costs of solar and wind power are projected to drop by 26% and 35%
- , respectively, over the next 30 years in Washington.
- Since the start of the Biden Administration, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has tracked more than $160 billion in new battery and electric vehicle supply chain investment announcements, including in $885 million in Washington. In the same period, DOE has tracked more than $15 billion in new solar manufacturing investment announcements, including $110 million in Washington.
Clean Transportation
- Washington has the third most electric vehicles (EVs) in the country per capita, with 122,700 EVs currently registered in Washington. Drivers switching to an electric pickup truck could save over $1700 per year
in fueling and maintenance costs compared to a gasoline-powered truck. Drivers of smaller cars could save over $1200 per year
- . The Inflation Reduction Act will make it easier and cheaper to purchase an electric vehicle, with upfront discounts up to $7,500 for new EVs and $4,000 for used EVs, helping many Americans skip the gas pump and save on fuel costs.
- Washington has over 5,000 electric vehicle charging ports already. The state will also receive $15.1 million
- in federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help build out more EV charging stations.
Investing in Washington
- Thanks to funding from President Biden's Investing in America Agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy has made available more than $267 million in the past year to Washington's state and local governments to invest in energy efficiency and grid resilience. This includes funding to build a robust rebate program to help low-income households access more efficiency appliances, and over $22 million to help strengthen grid resilience.
- Group14 Technologies has received $100 million from DOE to build two manufacturing units in eastern Washington to help reduce the cost and carbon intensity of domestic battery manufacturing. Sila Nanotechnologies also received $100 million to build out a large factory for battery anode materials in Moses Lake Washington.
Saving Washingtonians Money on Home Energy Bills
- The U.S. Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program and State Energy Program have invested more than $55 million in Washington since 2015, leading to 658 jobs and over 6,700 homes with reduced energy costs and improved health and safety.
- Upgrading appliances and improving home energy efficiency could save a total of 7,580 GWh
of energy in Washington, enough to power 385,000
- Washington homes.
- Washington will receive over $166 million to implement a Home Energy Rebate program in the state. Low-income households in Washington could save an average of 49%
- on their home energy bills when they upgrade their appliances and improve energy efficiency through this program.
Prioritizing Washington's Rural and Underserved Communities
- The Biden Administration has committed to advancing equity for all communities, including through the Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure Federal agencies deliver at least 40% of the overall benefits of climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, clean water, and other investments to disadvantaged communities. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has more than 140 programs covered by this initiative.
- The Beacon Hill Clean Energy and Community Resilience Task Force has partnered with DOE's Communities LEAP program to develop a strategy to improve the community's resilience and understand the intersection between clean energy and displacement in the neighborhood.
- The City of Bainbridge Island is partnering with DOE's Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Program to analyze the feasibility of renewable energy options like solar and waterpower to move the city toward its goal of 100% renewable electricity by 2040.
- Three Washington-based teams, led by Illu Global, Spark Northwest, and GRID Alternatives, were selected in the first round of the Energizing Rural Communities Prize for their proposals to serve as partners for local communities in Waldron Island, Kingston, and Wellpinit, respectively. As a result they will receive $100,000, in-kind-mentorship services, and eligibility to compete in phase two of the prize to win an additional $200,000.
- The Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities identified
- the Bremerton-Silverdale area as a priority energy community. This means that the federal government, including the DOE and 11 other partner agencies, are prioritizing this area for near-term investment and engagement to support community revitalization.
For current DOE funding opportunities, visit: www.energy.gov/infrastructure
Media Inquiries:
(202) 586-4940 or DOENews@hq.doe.gov
For more information
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