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City awarded $1.7 million Northwest Clean Air Agency grant to build community solar array
Summary
Mayor announced the city received a $1.7 million grant from the Northwest Clean Air Agency to build a community solar array; the grant proceeds will fund local climate actions and support the city's climate commitments.
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The City of Bellingham has been awarded a $1.7 million grant from the Northwest Clean Air Agency to construct a community solar array, Mayor Ally Huffman announced at the April 14 council meeting.
The mayor said the agency chose the city’s application as the highest-scoring proposal in a competitive process. The grant funds were part of a multimillion-dollar penalty the agency collected from a Whatcom County corporation; the agency directed the funds to local climate projects.
“The proceeds from this community solar array will fund ongoing climate actions creating enduring good for this community,” the mayor said.
Why it matters: City staff framed the award as consistent with the council’s earlier 2017 resolution affirming safety and welcoming communities and the city’s ongoing climate commitments. The mayor said the city will use the grant to build renewable infrastructure that will support local climate goals.
Next steps: The mayor did not specify a construction timeline during the presentation; staff will bring project details to relevant committees and to council as planning and procurement proceed.
Ending: The city will post grant and project documents on the city website as they become available, the mayor said.
