Funding awarded for clean energy projects

Two Pierce County departments were awarded grant funding from the Washington State Department of Commerce Clean Energy Program. Pierce County Facilities Management was awarded $160,000 to study the feasibility of implementing solar energy and battery storage systems at County-owned facilities. Pierce County Planning and Public Works was awarded $2.3 million to construct a large-scale solar innovation project on the site of the closed Purdy Landfill. Both initiatives align with Pierce County's ongoing efforts to enhance sustainability and reduce its environmental footprint.

The Facilities Management feasibility study will evaluate key County-owned facilities for solar panel installation and energy storage capacity. After an initial review, detailed designs, cost estimates, and potential energy savings will be created for specific sites. The results of this work will help the County plan, budget, and apply for grants for future solar energy projects.

The PPW solar innovation project will supply clean, renewable energy to the Key Peninsula community. Due to the industrial nature of solid waste functions at the site, the closed landfill has limited redevelopment options. A ground-mounted solar array on the landfill, which operated from 1941 to 1989, is an ideal use for the property to continue providing value to the community. Revenue from the power generated by the project will be reinvested by Pierce County to benefit low-income residents on the Key Peninsula.

The funding received by Pierce County is part of a larger $117 million investment from the Department of Commerce aimed at advancing clean energy projects across Washington State.

These investments reflect the growing commitment across Washington State to invest in clean energy solutions that benefit local communities while addressing climate change. We anticipate that clean energy being added to the grid will result in quantifiable GHG emission reductions, support community resilience to climate impacts long-term, and indirectly improve indoor and outdoor air quality. The solar feasibility study and landfill solar project will play a critical role in Pierce County’s long-term sustainability strategy and the potential development of future renewable energy projects.