Wow, by a 14 percent margin, voters in Clark County rejected Initiative 2117 and protected the Climate Commitment Act. As a result, we can applaud Clark Public Utilities for quickly developing plans to expand its low-income weatherization and heat pump assistance programs with funds provided by the Climate Commitment Act.
Personally, I’d also like to see funds from the Climate Commitment Act used in new buildings to cover the cost difference between market-rate construction and superefficient construction. The PAE Building in Portland is a good example of what we need to do. It is superefficient and produces as much electricity each year as it uses.
I encourage community-based organizations, local government agencies, housing authorities, and tribes to apply for grants from the Climate Commitment Act. In addition, Washington is launching the Federal Funds Grant Writing Assistance Program.
The FFGWAP is designed for Washington community-based organizations, local government agencies, housing authorities, tribes, businesses, and others eligible to receive federal funds to prepare and submit grant applications, helping Washington meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals while enhancing equity, innovation, economic growth, and job creation.
